Rain is on its way to San Luis Obispo County, forecasters say

Similar stories:

• Storm may bring month’s first rain in SLO County

  Storm may bring month’s first rain in SLO County

  The last time San Luis Obispo County did not receive any rain during the month of December was 1989, and so far, this month has been that dry.

  That may change Sunday evening, however, when a cold storm originating in the Gulf of Alaska is finally expected to move across the Central Coast and bring showers to the region.

  Local weather expert John Lindsey said Friday night that the storm will reach Northern California on Sunday afternoon, then arrive over the Central Coast late Sunday night and remain into Monday morning.

• Rain expected to descend on the county next week

  Rain expected to descend on the county next week

  The Central Coast could experience its first showers of autumn next week as a storm system makes its way down the West Coast from Alaska.

  Local weather expert John Lindsey and the National Weather Service agree that showers could begin Tuesday and continue Wednesday before the storm leaves the region. Dry weather is expected to return at the end of next week.

  “We are still on track for cool and wet weather next week, with rain first arriving in Northern California late Sunday before spreading rain as far south as Monterey Bay on Monday,” said Lindsey, who has more than 20 years of forecasting experience on the Central Coast. “This system is expected to produce heavy drizzle and perhaps a few light rain showers on Tuesday morning over the Central Coast.”

• Storms may bring rain through Thanksgiving

  Storms may bring rain through Thanksgiving

  A series of storms are forecast to bring rain to San Luis Obispo County, starting today and continuing into Thanksgiving Day.

  The storm arriving today will not pack much more than sprinkles, and much of the area won’t even get wet, local weather expert John Lindsey said. The National Weather Service says just a 20 percent chance of rain is expected.

  However, today will be unseasonably cool, with the highs countywide only in the 50s to low 60s, and a strong wind this afternoon will make it feel even colder.

• Detour sign lifts for rain in SLO County

  Detour sign lifts for rain in SLO County

  At last! Rain was set to fall overnight and continue into this afternoon, with the potential for some meaningful showers in a winter that so far has been notable for cold, dry weather.

  Coming into Friday, the last time San Luis Obispo County had received rainfall was Dec. 12, and that hardly amounted to much. Cal Poly, the official home of climatology for San Luis Obispo, measured only 0.17 of an inch.

  Before that, the only other storm of note had occurred Nov. 20, when 1.56 inches were measured in San Luis Obispo. January is normally one of the wettest months of the year, averaging 5.17 inches in San Luis Obispo.

• Wet and dreary weather on the way for Thanksgiving

  Wet and dreary weather on the way for Thanksgiving

  The third in a series of storms over the past week is forecast to roll over San Luis Obispo County on Thanksgiving.

  While it won’t pack as much rain as the storm that doused San Luis Obispo on Sunday, the coming low-pressure system will dampen outdoor activities and challenge motorists driving to spend the holiday with family and friends.

  Local weather forecaster John Lindsey and the National Weather Service both expect the rain to start Wednesday night or early Thursday and continue through Thanksgiving Day. Lindsey foresees between 0.10 and 0.33 inches of rain falling on the coastal valleys; the weather service expects a half inch to an inch.