SLO’s already received more rain than its total March average. Here’s how much your area got

Two days of mostly steady rain gave San Luis Obispo County a much-needed soaking this week and even pushed one location past its average total for March.

After a mostly dry January and February that had left California far below its seasonal norms, the recent weather pattern has been a more-than-welcome change — even if it might not reach “Miracle March” levels.

So far this month, the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport has received 3.3 inches of rain, already exceeding its average total for the entire month, PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey said Tuesday.

San Luis Obispo seems to have received among the most substantial rainfall over the last 48 hours, Lindsey said, with with close to 3 inches of rain in some places. But other locations also received a lot, including 2.72 inches in Arroyo Grande, 2.34 inches in Atascadero and 2.42 inches in Santa Margarita.

The system also added some visual excitement with dustings of snow on mountain ranges from Santa Barbara to San Simeon.

Even with the sudden boost in the first half of March, however, totals remain far below normal. SLOWeather.com has recorded only 11.5 inches of rain for the city, or 55% of normal, Lindsey said.

Looking ahead, scattered showers and thunderstorms will dwindle as the storm system moves southwest, Lindsey said.

San Luis Obispo County may see sporadic chances of rain through Saturday before another wet weather system arrives on Sunday, he said.

Next week also shows a good potential for wet weather, he added.

Here’s a look at rainfall totals from around San Luis Obispo County:

48-hour rain totals through midday Tuesday

Source: John Lindsey, PG&E

Joe Tarica

The Tribune

805-781-7911

Joe Tarica is the editor of The Tribune in San Luis Obispo. He’s worked in various newsroom roles since 1993, including as an award-winning copy editor, designer and columnist. A California native, he has been a resident of San Luis Obispo County for more than 35 years and is a Cal Poly graduate.