Atmospheric river could bring heavy rain, power outages to SLO County this weekend
Batten down the hatches, San Luis Obispo County.
High winds and an atmospheric river have the Central Coast set for quite the storm this weekend.
PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey said a strong storm from the Gulf of Alaska is forecast to bring heavy rain, high seas and winds of 39 to 54 mph to the region Saturday afternoon through Monday.
Lindsey said that storm system could tap into a plume of subtropical moisture, creating “an atmospheric river pattern.”
“In the old days we would call it the ‘pineapple express,’ ” Lindsey said of the weather event, which is known to bring heavy rainfall. “In meteorological circles (today) we call it ‘turning on the hose.’ ”
Lindsey said total rainfall amounts from Saturday to Monday are expected to range between 3 to 9 inches across the region, with the greatest amounts along the North Coast toward Big Sur.
“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Big Sur could get double-digit rain amounts,” Lindsey added.
Meanwhile, high winds will increase the risk of trees and tree limbs falling, he said, which could lead to power outages.
Lindsey urged residents to be prepared in the event of a power outage, including making sure flashlights have fresh batteries and are easily accessible and having a backup form of communication besides your cell phone ready. He also recommends storing water-filled plastic containers in your freezer that can be used as ice blocks in your fridge to prevent food from spoiling.
Lindsey also noted that people should avoid using traditional candles during an outage, and instead opt for LED candles to avoid the risk of fire.
According to the meterologist, temperatures will be cool starting Friday and into the weekend, with low temperatures dropping to the high 20s in the North County, and the high 30s in coastal valleys Friday night into Saturday.
Highs will likely only reach the low 50s across the Central Coast through Saturday, he said.
More wet weather on the way
It’s likely San Luis Obispo County will see wet weather throughout next week, Lindsey said, “as the atmosphere appears to be locked into a wet pattern.”
“It’ll keep us from going into drought,” he said. “It’ll dramatically reduce the fire danger and hopefully as the ground becomes wetter, we’ll have more and more runoff into the creeks, streams and reservoirs.”
“It’s all good news,” he added.
Avoid the ocean, Public Health warns
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department advises the public to avoid contact with ocean water during and at least three days after a storm due to disease-causing organisms in rainstorm runoff that collects in the ocean after a significant rain event.
According to a Wednesday release from the Public Health Department, rainstorm runoff is known to transport “high levels of disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa from the watershed and urban areas to the ocean.”
This can cause skin, respiratory and intestinal problems, according to the release. Young children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to these waterborne pathogens.
Surfers, swimmers and others are advised to avoid contact with ocean water during this period, especially in areas close to creeks, rivers, storm drains and other runoff outlets that empty into the ocean, according to the release.
This story was originally published November 29, 2019 at 4:45 AM.
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