Get ready for a wild ride, Central Coast! The weather is about to get interesting, and you won't want to miss a second of it. But here's where it gets controversial...
Full Moon Lunar Eclipse and Wind Gusts:
The night sky will put on a show with the full worm moon total lunar eclipse, with totality at 3:33 am. But be warned, the winds are picking up! North to northwest winds tonight will shift to the northeast on Tuesday, with offshore winds warming inland areas into the 70s. A Wind Advisory is in effect for the Santa Barbara Interior County mountains and the Santa Ynez Eastern Range until 3 am, with winds reaching 25 to 40 mph and gusts up to 50 mph.
Clear Skies and Warm Temperatures:
Skies will remain 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's a small chance of spotty light showers in the Santa Barbara County mountains from Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
High Pressure and Warm-Up:
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.
Small Craft Advisory and Gale Watch:
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, and sundowner winds may also affect areas north of Point Conception on Sunday.
Quick Warm-Up and Dry Conditions:
We are expecting a quick warm-up due to offshore winds over the weekend. Little, if any rain is forecast for the Central Coast. So, get ready to enjoy the full moon eclipse and the warm, sunny days ahead! But remember, the winds are a force to be reckoned with, and the weather can always surprise us. Stay tuned for more updates from the KSBY weather team, and don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments below. Do you agree or disagree with our forecast? We want to hear from you!
