SLO County could see 20-foot waves, flooding during ‘significant coastal event’ this week
It looks like there’s two chances for rain in the forecast for San Luis Obispo County this week, as well as some unusually high waves and potential coastal flooding.
After a sunny Tuesday, the National Weather Service predicts a slight chance of rain on Wednesday with likely less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Rain through Wednesday night could be followed by a sunny Thursday.
However, by Friday, there’s another chance of rain in the county, according to the Weather Service. A total of 0.5 inches to 1 inch of rain could fall between Friday morning through Saturday night, the Weather Service predicts.
Meanwhile, the Weather Service issued a high surf advisory for the entire coast of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties until Thursday at 4 a.m., at which time it changes to a high surf warning in effect through Saturday at 10 p.m.
The high surf advisory was issued due to large breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet with local sets up to 20 feet. The high surf warning was issued due to large breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet and local sets up to 25 feet, according to the Weather Service.
“Over the next few days the most impactful weather related feature will easily be the increasing surf and swells,” the Weather Service said in its forecast discussion. “This could be a very significant coastal event that hasn’t occurred in many years.”
Additionally, a coastal flood warning was issued for the region due to “significant coastal flooding expected,” according to the Weather Service.
The coastal flood warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday to 10 p.m. Saturday.
“Significant flooding of sea water is likely over vulnerable low-lying coastal areas around the time of high tide,” the Weather Service’s coastal hazard message on Tuesday said. “Damage to coastal roadways and structures is possible. Powerful waves and strong rip currents will pose an exceptional risk of ocean drowning and damage to coastal structures like piers and jetties.”
The Weather Service advised people to stay off beaches and coastal walkways, roads and structures until after the hazards had receded.
