Parts of SLO County could flood during new atmospheric river storm. Here’s when and where
Parts of San Luis Obispo County could see flooding as an intense rainstorm hammers the Central Coast, according to the National Weather Service.
Another atmospheric river system is set to hit Thursday, bringing heavy rains, high wind gusts and a 10% chance of thunderstorms, the weather service said.
“(The flood risk is) higher than we’ve seen in a while,” National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Wofford told The Tribune via phone on Tuesday.
The new system could dump up to 10 inches of rain in the Santa Lucia Mountains and cause large amounts of water to run down creeks, which could possibly flood local roadways, according to Wofford.
Wofford said he’s particularly concerned about Santa Rosa Creek near Cambria.
“(There’s) really some potential for flooding and some creeks to rise and overspread their banks,” he said.
Residential areas could also see up to 4 inches of rain while the storm is underway, National Weather Service meteorologist Devin Black said.
National Weather Service: Rain could lead to flooding in rivers, creeks
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch in San Luis Obispo County that will be in effect from 2 a.m. Thursday through noon on Friday.
Excessive rainfall could cause flooding of “rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the weather agency said.
High wind watch issued by National Weather Service
Also on Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a high wind watch across SLO County, with winds of 25 to 35 mph.
The watch will be in place from 7 a.m. Thursday to 3 a.m. Friday.
Wind gusts could reach up to 60 mph in some parts of the county, according to the watch notice.
“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” the weather service said. “Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”
What will the weather be like in SLO?
The San Luis Obispo area was expected to be sunny and windy on Tuesday with a high temperature of 59 degrees and an overnight low temperature of 42 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s latest seven-day forecast.
In the evening, there was an 80% chance of precipitation after 10 p.m. with winds gusts of up to 25 miles per hour. The area could get up to half an inch of rain, the weather service said.
On Wednesday, the high temperature will be near 57 and the low will be 51 degrees. Stormy weather will continue with a 90% chance of rain, according to the forecast.
“New precipitation amounts between three-quarters (of an inch) and one inch (are) possible,” the weather agency said.
More rain is expected Wednesday evening, when there is a 100% chance of showers.
The weather service said SLO could get up to an inch of new rainfall.
A new atmospheric storm system will hit San Luis Obispo on Thursday morning, with an 100% chance of precipitation.
Rains “could be heavy at times,” the weather service said.
“Rain chances will increase to moderate to heavy, with 3 to 5 inches across SLO County,” Black said, adding that mountain areas will see the most precipitation.
The high in SLO will be near 58 degrees and the overnight low will be 51.
Stormy conditions will stretch into the evening, according to the forecast, with winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
Rain amounts for Thursday could reach 2 inches, the weather agency said.
On Friday, there is an 80% chance of showers prior to 10 a.m. and a slight chance of rain in the evening.
Otherwise, the weather will be partly cloudy with a high of 50 and a low of 43, according to the forecast.
On Saturday, SLO will be partly sunny, with cloudy conditions later in the day. The temperature will reach a high of 63 and fall to an overnight low of 46.
On Sunday, some sun will peak out from clouds with a high near 66.
Fog is expected to roll in during the evening, with an overnight low of 47 forecast.
How much rain will fall in Paso Robles?
According to the National Weather Service’s forecast, Paso Robles could see increasingly cloudy conditions on Tuesday, with a high temperature near 59 degree and winds gusts up to 25 mph.
On Tuesday night, there was an 80% chance of rain after 10 p.m. with up to a quarter of an inch of precipitation possible. The overnight low temperature will be around 36 degrees, the weather service said.
More rain is possible in Paso Robles before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, which will have an 80% chance of showers and a high of 56.
Showers will return Wednesday evening with a 100% chance of precipitation and up to three-quarters of an inch of rain possible, according to the weather service.
Thursday will be stormy and breezy with a 100% chance of rain and a high of 57.
New precipitation in Paso Robles is expected to be around 1 to 2 inches, the weather agency said.
Rain will continue throughout Thursday evening with a low of 46, according to the forecast.
“The biggest thing is to try and stay off the roads during peak times from mid-Thursday to Friday morning,” Wofford said. “That’s going to be the heaviest period and certainly slickest roads.”
On Friday, the high in Paso Robes will be 59 degrees with an 80% chance of rain likely before 10 a.m.
There is a slight chance of rain prior to 10 p.m. Friday evening, the weather agency said. It will be partly with a low around 36 degrees.
Saturday will be partly sunny followed by evening clouds with a high of 60 and a low of 39.
On Sunday, the morning will be mostly cloudy with a high near 66.
Fog is expected to roll in during the evening hours with a low around 40.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 10:33 AM.
