Thunder, lightning and a tornado could hit SLO County as storm sweeps in
Update, 7:20 p.m.:
A power outage cut off electricity to 3,403 PG&E customers on Monday evening just as the storm arrived in San Luis Obispo County.
According to PG&E’s outage report map, customers in the Los Osos Valley Road area between San Luis Obispo and Los Osos lost power around 6:22 p.m.
For more information on the outage, read our story here.
Update, 6:20 p.m.:
A shelter-in-place order has been issued for residents in the area of the Madre and Gifford fire burn scars ahead of potential flooding and debris flows.
According to the SLO County Office of Emergency Services, the order will be in effect from 8 p.m. throughout the duration of the storm.
”The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Gifford and Madre Fire burn scars,” the agency said Monday evening. “Due to the potential for high rates of rainfall in the upcoming storm, we may see localized flooding and debris flows.”
The Office of Emergency Services warned that there is a potential for debris flows in other areas of the county during the storm as well.
A map of the impacted areas is available at EmergencySLO.org.
Original story:
An early-season storm could bring thunder, lightning, heavy rain and even a tornado to San Luis Obispo County.
Starting on the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 13, a storm system originating in the Pacific Northwest will move south into SLO County, resulting in heavy rain, gusty winds and, possibly, claps of thunder, according to the National Weather Service.
Flash flooding is possible in parts of the county.
“There’s also the distinct possibility of a tornado, believe it or not,” Joe Sirard, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, told The Tribune. “It could be a situation where maybe a water spout forms off the coast and moves to shore, or it could form over land.”
He said it’s impossible to determine where exactly the tornado could hit if it develops over the county.
The storm’s heaviest rainfall is expected to land Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon, according to the weather service.
Coastal areas and valleys could see up to 1.5 inches of rain, while more mountainous areas could measure up to 3 inches of rainfall.
Here’s what to know:
Flash flood watch issued for SLO County
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for parts of SLO County recently scorched from two significant wildfires: the Gifford Fire and Madre Fire.
The flood watch is in effect for burn scars from 8 p.m. Monday through 3 p.m. Tuesday.
“Significant mud and debris flows from recent burn scars, including the Gifford, Madre, Lake, Palisades, Franklin, Eaton and Bridge burn scars could develop,” the weather service said on its website.
New burn scars have a 10% to 20% chance of “significant flash flooding” while the storm is underway, along with heightened risks for rockslides, mudslides and roadway flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
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Sirard warned residents and travelers to avoid areas around burn scars while showers are underway in case flash flooding or debris flows occur.
“We have this one fairly quick-hitting system that might take some people by surprise, frankly,” he said.
What’s in the forecast for San Luis Obispo?
Cloudy conditions and showers were forecast to start in the San Luis Obispo area after 11 a.m. Monday.
There was a 60% chance of rain Monday afternoon with the high temperature expected to reach 66 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s latest seven-day forecast.
Monday night will be rainy with a possible thunderstorm and wind gusts up to 20 mph.
There was a 100% chance of precipitation overnight with rainfall totals between three-quarters of an inch to 1 inch likely, the weather service said, noting that “higher amounts (are) possible in thunderstorms.”
The overnight low will be 61 degrees with breezes up to 15 mph.
“We could get some dangerous lightning ... and (there’s a) possibility of strong gusty winds with thunderstorms, possibly with small hail,” Sirard said. “It is a pretty significant October storm, and so travel could be impacted with slick roads.”
Sirard predicted that the “best chances” for a severe thunderstorm or tornado to land in SLO County would be late Monday night into Tuesday morning and early afternoon.
On Tuesday, more rain and thunderstorms are possible with a high temperature around 61 degrees.
Up to a quarter-inch of rain could fall in the SLO area, with a 100% chance of precipitation in the forecast.
There is a 30% chance of rain Tuesday before 11 p.m.
Otherwise, the day will be partly cloudy with a low of 46 degrees, the weather service said.
Clouds were expected to clear overnight, with sunny conditions returning Wednesday. The high will be 62 and the low will be 48 degrees on Wednesday.
Thursday and Friday will also be sunny with high temperatures of 70 and 75, respectively.
When will rain start in Paso Robles?
The weather service’s latest seven-day forecast for Paso Robles called for mostly cloudy and rainy conditions Monday afternoon with wind gusts up to 20 mph.
There was a 60% chance of rain with a high temperature near 66 degrees.
On Monday night, rain and a thunderstorm were possible with gusts of wind blowing up to 30 mph, according to the weather service.
The Paso Robles area could see up to an inch of rainfall with a 100% chance of precipitation expected. The overnight low will be 51 degrees.
More showers and a thunderstorm are forecast Tuesday morning with a 90% chance of rain and a high temperature around 60 degrees.
Rainfall amounts could reach a quarter-inch with breezes as high as 20 mph, the National Weather Service said.
There is also a 30% chance of rain before 11 p.m. Tuesday
The overnight low will be 42 degrees with wind gusts up to 15 mph, according to the weather service.
Wednesday will be mostly clear with a high of 65 and a low around 42.
Thursday and Friday will also be sunny with high temperatures of 71 and 77, respectively.
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM.
