SLO County rainfall totals are way above normal. Here’s how your area compares
What a winter it’s been in San Luis Obispo County.
So much rain has fallen that most areas of the region have seen more precipitation in the past three months than they typically see in an entire year.
That’s a huge contrast to this same time last year, when an abnormally wet December was followed by a bone-dry start to 2022. The area then plunged into a severe drought — creeks dried up, reservoirs shriveled and cities were forced to require residents to cut back on water use.
Now, analyses have San Luis Obispo County nearly free of the drought conditions that had plagued the region for more than two years, with only the eastern swath still categorized as “abnormally dry.”
Rain gauges from around the county bear that out.
According to San Luis Obispo County Public Works Department data, from the far northern stretches of the county down to the southern-most areas, nearly everywhere has measured at least 100% — and often substantially more — of the rainfall that usually falls over the course of a year.
Rainfall measured to date in SLO County
The county’s monitoring stations have recorded anywhere from 16 inches of rain in Shandon to nearly 70 inches in the mountains above San Simeon.
All but one spot has received more than its average rainfall to date, with only San Simeon at a bit less than 100% of normal.
Here’s a look of how much rain has fallen in areas across San Luis Obispo County from July 1 to Monday, according to the Public Works Department:
More rain in SLO County’s forecast
While those rainfall totals may look great, there’s even more on the way.
The National Weather Service is predicting rain to fall in the county beginning Thursday evening, becoming very heavy on Friday.
Up to 6 inches is predicted to fall in the coastal mountains of San Luis Obispo County.
The forecast led the Weather Service to issue a “hydrologic outlook” for Monterey and Kern counties for late Thursday through Saturday. The outlook warns that anywhere from 1.5 to 4 inches of rain could fall in low-lying areas, and 6 to 8 inches in the mountains, from Thursday evening into Friday evening.
“In addition to the heavy rainfall and potentially intense rain rates, mud, rock and debris flows could occur in areas of steep terrain, including across recent burn areas,” the Weather Service said.
“Details regarding this storm will likely change as the system nears,” the Weather Service continued. “Confidence is high that we will receive rainfall from this system however, confidence is moderate with respect to the timing, location and total rainfall accumulation and intensities.”
This story was originally published March 7, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
