Good Monday evening, Central Coast!
Mostly clear tonight for the full worm moon total lunar eclipse. Totality at 3:33 am.
Watch from just before 2 am until just after 5 am for the entire eclipse. I’m setting my alarm for 3:30 am to see totality at 3:33 am.
Expect north to northwest winds tonight, then shifting to the northeast on Tuesday. The offshore wind on Tuesday will warm inland areas up into the 70s.
Below is a Wind Advisory for the Santa Barbara Interior County mountains and the Santa Ynez Eastern Range until 3 am. N winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph.
Skies continue mostly clear with temperatures near or slightly above normal. The warmest days are likely this weekend when consistent offshore winds develop. A dry week is expected, although there is a small chance of spotty light showers in the Santa Barbara County mountains from Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
High pressure will bring more sunshine and a slight warm-up on Tuesday. Wednesday night and Thursday morning, a weather system may bring spotty light rain to higher elevations, including the north-facing slopes in the Santa Barbara Mountains. Winds will strengthen in the mountains and parts of southern Santa Barbara County, possibly reaching wind advisory levels with some stronger gusts, Wednesday into Thursday. Cool and breezy conditions will persist through Thursday with temperatures around 70 degrees near the coast.
Below: A Small Craft Advisory is currently in effect, and a Gale Watch has been issued for later Tuesday night into Wednesday night.
A low-pressure system might move into Southern California from the northeast, bringing the potential for very strong, damaging Santa Ana winds, especially on Saturday in Southern California. The Central Coast would see some stronger gusts. Sundowner winds may also affect areas north of Point Conception on Sunday. The KSBY weather team will keep you posted if this wind event comes together, but the intense wind gusts are more likely to be in Southern California.
We are expecting a quick warm-up due to offshore winds over the weekend. Little, if any rain is forecast for the Central Coast.
Have a great night, Central Coast!
-Jim