by Dave Hovde, KSBY Meteorologist

Leapfrogging off Steve’s story about the Olympics in need of snow, I thought I might talk a little about local snow.  Anytime it happens under about 3000ft locals are loading their kids in the car and driving up the hills looking for the bewilderment that is snow near the Pacific Ocean.  Not unlike saying the word ‘earthquake’ or ‘fire’ there is an information gap after you even mention snow in a local forecast.  But the details are significant, we are talking about snow possible Tuesday night in the forecast.  Down to about the 2000ft level.

Here is why snow is not easy to make here.  The Pacific Ocean water, while cold to swim in, is just warm.  It mitigates any cold air mass that moves in.  The coldest air for us typically backs in from the east, wrapping around low pressure systems.  That is the case for Tuesday night.  Additionally the coldest temps happen when skies clear, clear skies don’t produce snow.  On top of that, especially in San Luis Obispo County the mountains are just not tall enough.

Yes, Caliente Mountain is 5,104 feet but most of the local tops are much more tame.  Even Bishop Peak is only 1,546 feet, the Cuesta Grade Summit is 1,522 feet.

Yes, it does snow around here but that snow level is key.  Not a lot of people live above 2000ft here, but on those snow days those locations do get a lot of visitors.

There is a Winter Weather Advisory in place for the SLO and SB County Mountains, and here are the details:

Snow will begin to impact the mountains early Tuesday morning then continue through Tuesday night  Snow levels will begin at 4000 feet Tuesday morning but then quickly lower to around 3000 feet late Tuesday afternoon before lowering to 2000 to 2500 feet Tuesday night.

Moderate snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches are expected on Tuesday and Tuesday night above 3000ft, at 2000ft minor accumulations are possible.

Other impacts:   Southwest winds between 15 and 25 mph will also impact the area on Tuesday turning to the north Tuesday night.  The combination of snow and breezy winds could create blowing snow with reduced visibilities at higher elevations.