SLO experiences driest first 6 months in 153 years. Here’s a look at final rain totals
San Luis Obispo has experienced its driest first six months of the year since its records began in 1870, according to precipitation data from Cal Poly that wrap up another year of discouraging rainfall.
The university measured just 1.5 inches of rainfall from Jan. 1 through June 30, according to Cal Poly. Previously, the driest start to the year was in 1972 when 2.78 inches were recorded, the university’s records show.
Other areas of the county saw similarly dry conditions as drought grips much of the West.
The rain season, which runs from July 1 through June 30, ended on Thursday and brought a below-average year of rainfall to the county, according to data from local meteorologist John Lindsey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Across an average of several rain gauges across San Luis Obispo County, the region saw roughly 12.25 inches of rain during the 2021-22 rain season, according to data gathered by Lindsey.
That’s mostly thanks to the several inches of rain the county saw in storms during December.
In fact, the San Luis Obispo County and Paso Robles airports each received 64% of this season’s total rainfall just in the month of December, according to NOAA.
Over the course of the season, the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport recorded just 9.73 inches of rain — that’s 58% of the historical average rainfall, NOAA’s data show.
The Paso Robles airport saw 8.7 inches of rain this past season, or about 72% of the historical average, according to NOAA.
SLO County back in severe drought
The shortage of rain has put San Luis Obispo County squarely in a severe drought — with some areas experiencing “extreme” drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
And it’s unlikely to end soon.
NOAA is predicting drought conditions will persist through at least the end of September as it appears another year of La Niña conditions could be in store.
“Looking like a triple-dip La Niña,” said Lindsey, noting that the two previous years also saw the climate pattern that typically brings drier, colder temperatures to the region. El Niño typically brings the opposite — warmer and wetter conditions.
“It’s fairly unusual to see it (La Niña) multiple years in a row,” Lindsey added.
The severe and ongoing drought conditions have all cities and towns calling for residents and businesses to conserve water as reservoirs and streams shrivel.
Santa Margarita Lake is down to 57.7% capacity from 63.7% on Jan. 1, according to the San Luis Obispo County Public Works Department.
Lopez Lake near Arroyo Grande is at 26.6% capacity, down from 30.3% on Jan. 1, and Lake Nacimiento is at 24% capacity compared to 29% at the beginning of the year.
Here’s a look at the final rain totals for communities around SLO County:
Arroyo Grande (SLOWeather.Com): 7.92 inches
Arroyo Grande Creek (SLOCountyWater.org): 10.04 inches
Atascadero (west side): 18.14 inches
Atascadero (SLOCountyWater.org): 8.51 inches
Avila Beach, Central Coast Aquarium: 8.44 inches
Avila Valley, PG&E Energy Education Center: 12.12 inches
Baywood Park: 10.75 inches
Cal Poly: 13.79 inches
Cambria (SLOCountyWater.org): 14.65 inches
Camp San Luis Obispo (SLOCountyWater.org): 18.46 inches
Cayucos, Stuart Ave.: 8.40 inches
Cayucos, 15th St.: 13.18 inches
Cayucos, Montecito Road: 10.60 inches
Creston (SLOCountyWater.org): 8.71 inches
Davis Peak, between Diablo Canyon and Avila Beach: 14.34 inches
Diablo Canyon: 13.98 inches
Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes (SLOWeather.com): 9.21 inches
Los Osos (SLOCountyWater.org): 13.51 inches
Los Osos, Las Encinas Drive: 12.40 inches
Lopez Lake Dam (SLOCountyWater.org): 12.94 inches
Morro Toro (SLOCountyWater.org): 20.28 inches
Nipomo, North: 10.25 inches
Nipomo, East (SLOCountyWater.org): 10.43 inches
Nipomo, South (SLOCountyWater.org): 8.35 inches
Oceano: 8.35 inches
Paso Robles Airport: 8.79 inches
Pismo Beach: 9.50 inches
Pismo Preserve, The Land Conservancy of SLO County: 9.71 inches
Rocky Butte (SLOCountyWater.org): 30.02 inches
Point San Luis Lighthouse: 12.99 inches
Salinas Dam (SLOCountyWater.org): 13.94 inches
Santa Margarita (SLOWeather.com): 12.16 inches
Santa Margarita, (SLOCountyWater.org): 11.97 inches
San Luis Obispo County Airport: 9.40 inches
San Luis Obispo, Veterans Building: 14.70 inches
San Simeon (SLOCountyWater.org): 13.94 inches
Shandon (SLOCountyWater.org): 6.11 inches
Shell Beach: 13.08 inches
Templeton (SLOCountyWater.org): 12.60 inches
This story was originally published July 2, 2022 at 10:00 AM.
