Thunderstorms could generate brief tornadoes and hail in SLO County, Weather Service says

A powerful late-season storm brought heavy rain, wind and multiple advisories and warnings from the National Weather Service, including one Saturday afternoon about the possibility of thunderstorms and even brief tornadoes.

Check back here for the latest on the storm as it moves through San Luis Obispo County.

Waterspouts could spin into tornadoes on land

Update, 3:23 p.m.:

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement warning about thunderstorms and possible waterspouts that could even come ashore as weak tornadoes.

The system could produce wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea-size hail, brief heavy downpours and cloud-to-ground lightning, the Weather Service said.

“Some rotation is being detected offshore, with a slight chance of these storms spinning up a brief tornado over the statement area,” the Weather Service added.

The advisory was for western San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties — from Point Conception to Cambria — and was in effect until 4:15 p.m. Saturday.

The Weather service warned that the hail could cause minor damage to outdoor objects is possible and gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.

Original story:

A late-season storm brought heavy rain, wind and a flood advisory to the Central Coast, creating soggy conditions for Easter egg hunts on Saturday.

Rain totals for the 24-hour period ending at 11 a.m. Saturday ranged from a half an inch in Shandon to 3.70 inches at Rocky Butte east of Cambria, according to San Luis Obispo County Public Works. San Luis Obispo received 1.59 inches, while 1.37 inches were recorded in Arroyo Grande and 0.75 inches in Atascadero.

Late Friday night, Caltrans extended the closure of Highway 1 in Big Sur as far south as Ragged Point due to a new mudslide at Alder Creek.

By Saturday morning, crews had cleared the road and reopened access as far north as Limekiln State Park at the southern end of the ongoing 12-mile closure around Paul’s Slide and the Dolan Point Slide, which have prevented full access to the scenic coastline for more than a year.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch and a high surf advisory for San Luis Obispo County on Saturday morning.

The flood watch was sent out for the entirety of SLO County and will be in effect until Sunday at 6 p.m.

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, urban areas, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the agency said in the release.

The agency also issued a high surf advisory for all SLO County beaches until 6 a.m. Sunday.

Overnight downpour soaks SLO County. Here’s how much rain fell in your area

Waves were expected to reach 8 to 12 feet with some as high as 15 feet, with the largest waves hitting west- and northwest-facing beaches.

“Remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers,” the agency cautioned.

The Weather Service also issued a special marine warning Saturday morning for waters off the Central Coast, advising about possible waterspouts, high winds, steep waves and even pea-sized hail.

The area included the ocean from Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal and Point Sal to Santa Cruz Island, including San Miguel and Santa Rosa islands. to Santa Cruz Island.

What’s ahead in SLO County’s forecast

Rain is expected to continue throughout the day Saturday, with a chance for thunderstorms after 11 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. Between a quarter an a half inch of rain is forecast.

Conditions will be breezy with highs in the upper 50s.

Showers will likely continue through the evening, with up to a quarter inch of rain possible overnight.

The forecast for Easter Sunday calls for a 30% chance of showers after 11 a.m. as the clouds clear to mostly sunny skies.

Thunder and lightning possible

The Weather Service also mentioned the possibility for thunderstorms with three-quarters of an inch of rain per hour.