Update: SLO sees nearly 1.5 inches of rain as winter storm hits Central Coast
A heavy winter rainstorm rolled into San Luis Obispo County on Tuesday morning, bringing downpours to the drought-thirsty area.
The rain was expected to fall throughout the day and intensify during Tuesday afternoon and evening.
As of 10 a.m., more than a half-inch of rain had fallen in many areas, according to the San Luis Obispo County Public Works Department.
Rainfall totals rose rapidly throughout the morning, and as of 1 p.m., many areas had accumulated more than an inch of rain, according to the county.
San Luis Obispo had received 1.49 inches of rain at about 1 p.m., the Public Works Department reported, while San Simeon had 1.42 inches, Cambria 1.21 inches and Los Osos 1.17 inches.
The National Weather Service predicted that the coast and valleys of San Luis Obispo County could receive 1.5 to 3 inches of rainfall, while the mountains and hills could see 2 to 5 inches of rain through Wednesday.
Flood, high surf advisories for Central Coast
On Tuesday, the agency issued a flood advisory for parts of San Luis Obispo County, warning of “minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas” and “water over roadways.”
Locations that will experience flooding include Cambria, Hearst Castle, Nipomo, Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo, the Weather Service said.
The advisory will be in effect until 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, the NWS said.
Parts of Monterey County were also under a flood advisory Tuesday morning, according to the agency.
The National Weather Service had a high surf advisory in place for beaches in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Central Coast residents should expect large breaking waves of 8 to 13 feet with dangerous rip currents, the NWS said.
Tuesday’s storm is expected to ease beginning Wednesday morning, with mostly sunny conditions predicted by end of day, according to the Weather Service.
However, rain clouds could roll back into the county on Thursday, ushering in more wet weather through New Year’s Eve, the Weather Service predicted.
Will rain help drought conditions in SLO County?
Recent rainstorms in San Luis Obispo County have brought much-needed relief from the ongoing drought.
So far in December, San Luis Obispo had received nearly four inches of rain — and that figure doesn’t include Tuesday’s rainfall.
The city normally receives about 3.27 inches of rainfall during the month, according to the National Weather Service.
Paso Robles has received about 3.63 inches of rain so far this month, nearly double its normal rainfall for the month of December, according to the NWS. The North County city usually receives about 1.98 inches.
That continues a trend from last year. In 2021, the two areas received about double their normal rainfall amounts in the month of December.
Wet weather in December 2021 was followed by mostly dry conditions in January and February, throwing the region into the extreme drought that has drained reservoirs and forced cities to declare water shortage emergencies.
It’s difficult to tell what January and February 2023 will bring in terms of rain, but the U.S. Drought Monitor predicted that the drought could persist through March.
SLO County rain totals
Here’s how much rain had fallen in various part of San Luis Obispo County as of about 1 p.m. Tuesday, according to the county Public Works Department:
- San Luis Obispo: 1.49 inches
- San Simeon: 1.42 inches
- Rocky Butte: 1.26 inches
- Cambria: 1.21 inches
- Los Osos: 1.17 inches
Lopez Lake: 1.09 inches
Oceano: 1.07 inches
Arroyo Grande: 1 inch
Morro Bay: 1 inch
Shandon: 0.9 inches
Nipomo: 0.83 inches
Lake Santa Margarita: 0.74 inches
Templeton: 0.57 inches
Atascadero: 0.43 inches
This story was originally published December 27, 2022 at 10:53 AM.
