A prolonged period of stormy weather is expected to persist along the Central Coast through next week, according to retired meteorologist John Lindsey.

An intense 986-millibar low-pressure system off the Oregon coast moving eastward Thursday, with an associated cold front strengthened by powerful upper-level winds, will bring strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph, gusting up to 45 mph) southerly winds and periods of moderate to heavy rain through Thursday night.

Six- to 8-foot southerly seas will develop through Thursday night, followed by a 9- to 11-foot west-northwesterly (290-degree deep-water) swell (with an 8 to 15-second period) on Friday.

Winds will ease, and rain is expected to taper to showers by late Friday morning. Rainfall totals are expected to range from 1 to 1.5 inches, with

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