by Dave Hovde, KSBY Meteorologist

A low pressure system drops through the region Tuesday, it may be moisture starved but the instability aloft is significant.  On and off showers are likely and a few scattered thunderstorms can’t be ruled out and because of the amount of cold air aloft small hail could be produced if thunderstorms develop.  Additionally as the system departs the snow levels drop all the way down to 2000ft in San Luis Obispo county, low enough to deposit snow on area peaks.

In total less than .50″ of rain should fall.

Highs in the mid to upper 40s in the interior with temps near the mid 50s at the coast and in coastal valleys, afternoon winds SW sifting to the NW 15-25mph.

As far as the snow:

A Winter Weather Advisory in place for the SLO and SB County Mountains:

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.