Atmospheric river storm to bring rain, thunderstorms to SLO County. Here’s when
San Luis Obispo County is about to experience some weather whiplash
After a multi-day heat wave, heavy rain, cooler weather and a chance of thunderstorms are on the way to the Central Coast, according to the National Weather Service.
Daytime temperatures could drop up to 12 degrees by Wednesday, Nov. 12, as a low-pressure storm system develops over the area, the weather service said in a recent forecast discussion.
The atmospheric river could bring up to 4 inches of rain to parts of the county.
National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld said “there is some risk” of flooding in the northwestern corner of San Luis Obispo County.
“Prepare for rain. That means clearing out gutters and setting up your property to be ready for some rain,” she said. “We’d also encourage people to have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts, especially if you live near a recent burn scar.”
Here’s when showers could start in SLO County:
What’s in the forecast for San Luis Obispo?
Partly sunny conditions, calm winds and patchy evening fog were forecast for Tuesday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day — in the San Luis Obispo area.
The high temperature was expected to be around 72 degrees with an evening low temperature around 54 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s latest seven-day forecast.
How much rainfall will SLO see?
There will be some fog and cloudy weather Wednesday morning followed by mostly clear conditions and a high of 66 degrees, the weather service said.
After 10 p.m., a 50% chance of rain is forecast along with wind gusts up to 25 mph and a low of 57.
The area could be drenched by a half-inch of rain Wednesday evening, according to the forecast.
On Thursday, there is a 90% chance of showers with up to 2 inches of rainfall possible. The high temperature will be around 61 degrees.
Will SLO get a thunderstorm?
A thunderstorm could rattle the San Luis Obispo area while the heaviest part of the storm is underway, along with winds up to 30 mph, according to the forecast.
“Any thunderstorm that may form may be accompanied by lightning, locally gusty winds, heavy downpours and/or small hail,” the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion said.
More showers are likely prior to 10 p.m. Thursday evening. The overnight low will be around 50 degrees.
There is a 40% chance of rain Friday before 4 p.m., the forecast said. Otherwise, conditions are expected to be partly sunny with a high near 59 degrees.
Friday evening will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and a low around 45 degrees.
Conditions are expected to be sunny Saturday with a high around 64 degrees and a low near 47, the weather service said.
Sunday will be mostly sunny with a high around 64 degrees.
In the evening, more rain could return with mostly cloudy weather expected and a low temperature near 48 degrees.
When will rain start in Paso Robles?
The weather service’s latest seven-day forecast for Paso Robles called for partly sunny conditions on Veterans Day with a high around 75 degrees.
Tuesday evening was expected to be mostly cloudy with an overnight low of 53 degrees.
On Wednesday, the weather will be mostly sunny with a high temperature near 64 degrees, according to the forecast.
A 50% chance of rain is forecast Wednesday evening after 10 p.m. with a low around 55 degrees, the National Weather Service said.
Overnight, wind gusts could blow as high as 30 mph and up to a half-inch of precipitation could soak the area.
Heavy showers, a possible thunderstorm and strong winds up to 35 mph are expected in the Paso Robles area on Thursday. The high temperature will be around 56 degrees.
“New rainfall amounts between a half- and three-quarters of an inch (are) possible,” the National Weather Service said.
More rain was expected Thursday evening, where there’s a 60% chance of precipitation. The overnight low will be around 49 degrees, according to the forecast.
There is a 40% chance of showers prior to 4 p.m. on Friday. The high temperature will be near 56 degrees.
Some sprinkles may fall Friday evening before 10 p.m., the weather service said. Otherwise, the weather will be partly cloudy with a low around 44 degrees.
Saturday will be sunny with a high around 61 and a lower near 45 degrees, according to the forecast.
Sunday will be mostly sunny with a slight chance of showers. The high will be 62 and the low will be around 47 degrees, respectively.
When will wet weather return?
“Early next week, we may have a chance for rain again,” Schoenfeld told The Tribune, though there is still a “good amount of uncertainty.”
This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 10:21 AM.
