What’s in store for SLO County weather? Rain, thunderstorms and ‘remote risk’ of tornado
A new storm system could bring rain, thunderstorms and even a “remote risk” of tornadoes to San Luis Obispo County, according to the National Weather Service.
Showers were expected to start Tuesday night.
“A cooler weather pattern will continue through late week with temperatures below seasonal averages,” a National Weather Service forecast discussion said. “A stronger storm system will affect the area (Tuesday) through Thursday night, with periods of moderate to locally heavy rain, mountain snow and gusty winds.”
The storm system will sweep through the Central Coast in two waves, with the first expected to hit in full force on Wednesday, according to Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office.
After a break in the weather on Wednesday night, storm activity will pick up later in the day on Thursday, Kittell said.
In total, Kittell said, the majority of San Luis Obispo County can expect to see a half-inch to 1 inch of rain — with heavier rainfall possible in some areas when the thunder rolls.
“Anytime we have thunderstorms, there’s anything on the table,” Kittell said, noting that thunderstorms tend to bring a “brief heavy shower, small hail, gusty winds or even ... a remote risk of a tornado.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere in Southern California there is a tornado,” he added. “It would be very brief, very weak (and) cause a little bit of damage.”
Here’s what to know:
What’s in the forecast for SLO?
The San Luis Obispo area was expected to be mostly sunny on Tuesday with a high temperature of 67 degrees and an overnight low temperature of 49 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s latest seven-day forecast.
Rain was likely after 10 p.m. Tuesday with a 60% chance of precipitation, the weather service said.
Up to a quarter of an inch of rain could fall overnight, the weather service said.
More rain is expected Wednesday in San Luis Obispo, which will see a high near 58 and an overnight low of 44. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
The San Luis Obispo area could see a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of new rainfall.
When could thunderstorms reach SLO County?
There’s an 80% chance of precipitation on Wednesday night, along with wind gusts of up to 15 mph and “possibly a thunderstorm,” the weather service said.
“New rainfall amounts between a 10th and quarter of an inch” are possible, the weather agency said, noting that “higher amounts” are possible during thunderstorms.
“The general guidance really holds,” Kittell said. “If you hear thunder or see lightning, it’s best to go inside until the storm passes.”
San Luis Obispo can expect more showers and possible thunderstorms on Thursday, along with winds of 15 to 20 mph. Gusts could reach 25 mph.
The high will be near 53, and the low will be around 40.
The weather service predicted a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain.
According to the forecast, skies will clear in SLO on Friday, when the high will be near 62 and the low will be around 42.
Saturday and Sunday were expected to be sunny with some patchy fog, highs in the mid 60s and lows in the mid 40s.
Rain could return Sunday night and continue into Monday, when the high will be near 59.
How much rain will Paso Robles get?
According to the weather service’s latest forecast, Paso Robles was expected to be partly sunny on Tuesday, with rain arriving after 10 p.m. The high temperature will be near 65 degrees, and the low temperature will be around 44 degrees.
The North County city had a 60% chance of precipitation, with a 10th to a quarter of an inch of rain possible.
More rain is expected Wednesday, along with wind gusts up to 15 mph. The high will near 57, while the low will drop to 39.
Paso Robles could receive as much as three-quarters of an inch of rainfall during the day, with up to a quarter-inch of rain overnight.
Showers are “likely” for Thursday, the weather service said, as well as thunderstorms and winds of 10 to 20 mph. Gusts could reach 30 mph.
Paso Robles can expect a high near 52 and a low around 34, along with up to a half-inch of new rainfall.
Friday will be sunny with a high near 62 and a low around 34.
More sunshine is expected Saturday, which will have a high near 67 and a low around 38.
Sunday will bring patchy fog and a “chance of rain,” the weather service said. The high will be near 65, and the low will be around 41.
Rain is also likely on Monday, which will have a high near 59.
Is more wet weather on the way?
“This isn’t it,” Kittell said. “We do have more chances of rain coming.”
Kittell said the weather service is “looking at multiple chances of rain next week,” with showers possible on Tuesday, March 11, and Thursday, March 13.
Beyond that, SLO County could see its next sprinkles on Wednesday, March 19.
This kind of wet weather is “pretty normal,” Kittell said.
In SLO County, the peak of the rain season is between November and March, he said, adding that most of the severe thunderstorms occur in March.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, most of California can expect below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation from March 11 through March 17.
This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 11:03 AM.
