Forecast Indicates Rain and Mild Temperatures Leading Up to Thanksgiving

A cold front has brought rain to the Central Coast, with forecasts indicating continued precipitation through Thanksgiving Day. Rainfall amounts are expected to range from 1.5 to 3.0 inches over the week, with mild daytime temperatures and cooler nights. Following the storm systems, clear skies are expected to return into the weekend.

A significant cold front passing through the Central Coast has led to nearly half an inch of rainfall in Santa Maria, with rain anticipated intermittently until Thanksgiving Day, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Rainfall totals recorded on Monday included 0.39 inches at the Los Alamos Fire Station and 0.56 inches at the Orcutt County Fire Station, among others, according to the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department.

Meteorologist John Lindsey noted that the 96-hour surface chart reveals a blocking high-pressure system over the Gulf of Alaska, with two low-pressure systems encroaching upon Central California. The initial storm system is expected to generate strong southerly winds, ranging from 25 to 38 mph, from Monday evening through Tuesday morning. As the system progresses, wind speeds will decrease, allowing for scattered showers to persist into Tuesday night, with anticipated rainfall between 0.5 and 1.25 inches.

On Wednesday, an occluded front is forecast to bring gentle to moderate westerly winds and light rain, accumulating approximately 0.30 to 0.50 inches. Subsequently, a second low-pressure system will impact the Central Coast on Thanksgiving Day, promising further rainfall of 0.50 to 1.00 inches. Cumulatively, rainfall from Monday through Thursday may total between 1.5 to 3.0 inches, particularly in the Santa Lucia Mountains due to orographic lift.

Despite the rain, temperatures are expected to remain mild, with inland valleys, coastal valleys, and beaches potentially dropping to the 40s at night, and reaching highs in the 50s to low 60s during the day. Northeasterly Santa Lucia winds and clear skies are anticipated by Friday, extending into the weekend. Rain is expected to continue in the Santa Maria area through Monday night with lows around 50 degrees. It is predicted that the weather will remain unsettled through Wednesday, tapering off into clearer conditions by the weekend.

The article provides a weather forecast pertaining to the Central Coast region, specifically focusing on the expected rainfall and temperature changes leading up to and following Thanksgiving Day. It informs readers of the meteorological conditions contributing to these weather patterns, including frontal systems and wind patterns, while offering insight into cumulative precipitation predictions for the area. The data is supported by observations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department, enhancing the reliability of the forecast information.

In summary, the Central Coast is poised to experience a series of storm systems bringing significant rainfall and mild temperatures leading into Thanksgiving Day. Daily precipitation is expected to accumulate substantially, especially in mountainous regions, while temperatures will generally remain mild. As the week progresses, a transition to clearer skies is anticipated, bringing a reprieve from rain and cooler overnight temperatures, ideal for the holiday weekend.

Original Source: santamariatimes.com