Rain, wind begins in SLO County as multi-day storm hits California. Here’s what to expect
The leading edge of a multi-day rain storm arrived in San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday, bringing ominous skies, blustery winds and sprinkles.
Over the next few days through Saturday, SLO County residents can expect cold, windy and rainy weather as the fall storm flows into California, according to predictions by the National Weather Service.
By midday Wednesday, light and spotty rain had started in some areas of the county as the subtropical storm system moved northeast across the state.
Through Thursday morning, the Weather Service predicts that around 0.25 to 0.5 inches of rain could fall in the coastal and valley areas with 0.5 inches to 1 inch expected in the mountains. However, those amounts could change as the storm develops, the Weather Service wrote in its latest forecast discussion on Wednesday morning.
Thursday is expected to be lighter rainfall day, according to the Weather Service, before the storm picks back up again on Friday.
It’s possible that areas of the county could see rainfall rates range between 0.25 and 0.5 inches per hour on Friday and Friday night, the Weather Service predicted.
Showers could continue through Saturday, before tapering off into the night and Sunday morning, according to the Weather Service.
San Luis Obispo County is expected to receive similar amounts of rainfall to southern California regions including Los Angeles and San Diego, according to the Weather Service. However, thunderstorms in those areas may lead to more rain, the Weather Service predicted Wednesday.
Similarly, the San Francisco region is expected to see between a 0.1 and 0.25 inches of rain every day through Friday, according to the Weather Service.
The Sierra Mountains in eastern California could see several inches of snowfall as a result of the storm.
High elevation areas above 7,500 feet in the Eastern Sierras could see a foot to 18 inches of snow accumulate between Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon, according to the Weather Service.
Lower elevation areas in the Sierras will likely see a few inches of rain during the same time frame, the Weather Service predicted.
Wind advisory issued for SLO County
Along with the rain, SLO County residents should also expect windy conditions and colder temperatures.
The Weather Service issued a wind advisory for coastal areas and San Luis Obispo on Wednesday as gusts were predicted to reach about 35 mph.
Southeast winds between 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 were predicted for Wednesday evening through Friday, according to the Weather Service.
The wind caused blowing dust in the southern region of San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday afternoon, according to the county Air Pollution Control District.
Individuals sensitive to air pollution were advised to stay inside and look out for adverse health affects between 1 and 9 p.m. Wednesday, according to the agency.
Colder temperatures also are expected to accompany the storm.
In the San Luis Obispo area, temperatures will likely not rise above the mid-60s with lows in the mid-50s the entire week, according to the Weather Service.
Those temperatures aligned with Weather Service predictions for coastal areas including Morro Bay, Pismo Beach and Cambria.
Slightly warmer temperatures in the high 60s were predicted for the North County areas of Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero and San Miguel, the Weather Service forecast.
