‘Significant storm’ to hit SLO County with heavy rain, strong winds. Here’s when
A strong atmospheric river-fueled storm will sweep through San Luis Obispo County during the height of the holiday season, weather experts said, resulting in several inches of rain.
Heavy rain, powerful winds and cooler weather are expected to peak locally on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Thursday, Dec. 25, according to the National Weather Service.
“Pretty much everywhere across the county is at risk for some sort of flooding issues,” National Weather Service meteorologist Rich Thompson told The Tribune, calling the storm system set to visit SLO County on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day a “significant storm.”
The atmospheric river system could bring up to 5 inches of rain in coastal valleys and up to 8 inches of rain in more mountainous parts of the county, he said.
Here’s what to expect in SLO County:
Flood watch issued for SLO County
The National Weather Service recently issued a flood watch for parts of San Luis Obispo County during Christmas week.
The flood watch is in effect from 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, through 10 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25.
According to Thompson, the entire county is at risk of flooding during the storm, including coastal beaches, interior valleys and the Santa Lucia Mountains.
Widespread urban flooding is possible during the storm, as well as mud and debris flows in the mountain and foothill regions in SLO County, including recent burn scars, according to the National Weather Service.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the weather service said in its flood watch.
High winds could down trees, power lines
The weather service issued a high wind watch for beaches and inland areas of SLO County that will remain in effect from noon on Tuesday, Dec. 23, through 3 p.m. on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
According to the high wind watch, southerly winds of 30 to 50 mph are possible across SLO County, with gusts of up to 80 mph.
High winds could cause downed trees and power lines, potentially causing outages, according to the high wind watch.
The main impact of the storm could stem from the strength of the wind gusts, retired PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey told The Tribune.
“You get a lot of downed power lines and outages” when wind gusts get close to 60 mph, he said.
What’s in weather forecast for San Luis Obispo?
San Luis Obispo was expected to be mostly cloudy on Monday with a high temperature near 64 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s latest seven-day forecast.
On Monday evening, there was a 30% chance of rain after 10 p.m. Otherwise, the night was expected to be cloudy with a low around 52 degrees.
Showers and strong winds are likely Tuesday morning with an 80% chance of rain after 10 a.m. and a high near 64.
Wind gusts could reach up to 50 mph, the weather service said.
Stormy conditions will continue Tuesday evening when up to 2 inches of rain could land in the area along with winds of up to 55 mph, according to the forecast.
The overnight low will be 57 degrees.
On Wednesday, Christmas Eve, there’s a 100% chance of rain with up to three-quarters of an inch of precipitation possible, the National Weather Service said.
Conditions will be breezy with gusts up to 45 mph. The high will be about 62 degrees.
Wednesday evening will also be rainy with a low around 55, according to the weather service.
“Especially on Christmas Eve, if you don’t have to travel, please don’t,” Thompson warned. “There’s some really nasty weather out there in terms of the heavy rain, and the winds will be very, very hazardous driving conditions.”
There’s a 100% chance of precipitation on Thursday — Christmas Day — in SLO County as well, the weather service said. Conditions will be cloudy and wet with a high around 61.
Showers will continue Christmas evening. The overnight low will be near 52, according to the forecast.
On Friday, cloudy and rainy conditions are expected with a high of 61 and an overnight low around 45.
There’s also a chance of showers on Saturday and Sunday. Highs will reach 61 and 63 degrees, respectively.
How much rain will fall in Paso Robles?
The weather service’s latest seven-day forecast for Paso Robles called for foggy and cloudy conditions Monday with a 20% chance of showers after 10 p.m.
The high temperature was expected to be around 61 degrees, and the overnight low temperature will be 49 degrees, the weather service said.
On Tuesday, there’s a 50% chance of rain in the Paso Robles area.
Strong winds will also sweep through the region with gusts up to 40 mph, the weather service said. The high will be 58 degrees.
Up to 2 inches of rain is expected Tuesday evening with strong winds up to 50 mph. The overnight low will be 52, according to the forecast.
“Definitely a lot of rain and definitely a lot of wind with this storm over the holiday,” Thompson said.
On Christmas Eve, the high will be around 56 with a 100% chance of precipitation along with breezes of 20 to 35 mph. A half-inch of rain is possible, the National Weather Service said.
Showers will continue into the evening with a low around 51, according to the forecast.
A 100% chance of rain is expected Christmas Day with a high around 54.
Christmas evening will also be rainy and cloudy with an overnight low near 48.
The storm will continue Friday with more showers and rainy conditions in the Paso Robles area. The high will be 55 and the low temperature around 41.
There’s a slight chance of showers Saturday, but clouds are expected to clear Sunday when sunny conditions return, the National Weather Service said.
This story was originally published December 22, 2025 at 10:15 AM.
