Rain is on the way to SLO County. Here’s how much could fall in your area
Following an extraordinarily dry January, February and March, San Luis Obispo County may be experiencing what local PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey called “a pretty normal April.”
That’s because weather forecasts are predicting 0.25 inches to 1 inch of rain to fall in the county Thursday into early Friday.
Expect showers to begin Thursday morning at around 10 a.m., Lindsey predicted.
The rain will likely continue throughout the day, getting heavier through the evening and then lightening up again Friday morning, he said. It could last into Friday afternoon in some spots.
The Santa Lucia mountains and coastal areas of SLO County will likely see the most rainfall, while more inland areas will likely see less precipitation, according to the weather models.
Temperatures in San Luis Obispo County are expected to stay cool, in the low to mid-50s, throughout Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
If you love snow, this weekend may be a good one to head to the mountains. Some areas of the Sierras could see up to 30 inches of snow on Thursday and Friday, Lindsey said.
The rain showers may bring much-needed drought relief to California’s Central Coast.
So far this year, the National Weather Service rain gauge in San Luis Obispo has measured just 9.47 inches of rain, which is about 59% of the normal rainfall for this time of year.
Paso Robles has seen about 8.5 inches of rain — 72% of normal, according to the Weather Service.
Normally in April, San Luis Obispo receives about an inch of rain, while Paso Robles typically gets a little more than a half-inch, according to the Weather Service.
The U.S. Drought Monitor says San Luis Obispo County is experiencing severe and extreme drought conditions.
While the upcoming April showers could bring some short-term relief, Lindsey predicts the rest of the month could be dry. The weather models aren’t showing much in terms of more rain, he said.
This story was originally published April 20, 2022 at 10:37 AM.
