After rainy weekend, blue skies and sunshine are ahead for SLO County. See the forecast

April storms are not uncommon along the Central Coast. In fact, Cal Poly, home of climatology for San Luis Obispo, typically records 1.5 inches of rain during April, while Santa Maria and Paso Robles airports average a little over 1 inch.

The wettest April recorded at the Santa Maria and Paso Robles airports occurred in 1958 when Santa Maria saw 4.2 inches and Paso Robles 5.2 inches. In 1967, nearly 7 inches of rain was recorded in San Luis Obispo. In April, the most significant 24-hour rainfall total in San Luis Obispo was 3.1 inches, which occurred in 1907.

The most infamous storm to occur in April in the Central Coast’s weather history, took place on April 7 and 8 in 1926.

It was a catastrophic event, with a lightning-set oil depot fire on Tank Farm Road in San Luis Obispo that boiled over and engulfed 900 acres. The intense heat of the fire led to the formation of many tornado vortices.

One such tornado, a testament to the storm’s ferocity, traveled 1,000 yards, picked up a house and carried it 150 feet, tragically killing the two occupants inside. There were even reports of burning oil reaching Avila Beach from San Luis Creek.

What’s in latest SLO County weather forecast?

Be prepared for a late-season 532-decameter upper-level low-pressure system and two surface low-pressure systems along the Central California coastline.

These weather systems will bring fresh-to-strong (19 to 31 mph) southerly winds and periods of rain through Sunday afternoon.

The heaviest rain is expected on Saturday and Sunday morning with the frontal passages.

On Sunday, there’s a chance of thunderstorms, with snow levels dropping as low as 3,500 feet. High temperatures on Sunday will only reach the high 50s.

Total rainfall amounts are forecast to range between 1.5 and 2.5 inches, which could significantly impact outdoor activities.

Moderate-to-fresh (13 to 24 mph) north to northeasterly (Santa Lucia) winds on Monday morning will produce mostly clear skies. The winds will shift out of the northwest and increase to fresh to strong (19 to 31 mph) levels during the afternoon.

A persistent classic Central Coast spring pattern of gentle-to-moderate (8 to 18 mph) northwesterly winds developing during the morning, increasing to fresh-to-strong (19 to 31 mph) levels during the afternoon will start on Tuesday and continue through next Saturday.

This condition will allow low marine clouds with pockets of fog and mist to develop along the coastline and coastal valleys overnight and in the morning, clearing during the afternoon.

The winds should be strong enough to mix out the temperature inversion layer, allowing the sun to shine along the beaches during the afternoon.

Over this period, high temperatures will reach the low to mid-70s in the inland (Paso Robles) and coastal valleys (San Luis Obispo). The beaches will reach the 60s, except for Cayucos, Avila and Shell beaches which will reach the low 70s.

Surf report

An 8- to 10-foot southwesterly (245-degree deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 11-second period) is forecast later Saturday through Sunday.

A 5- to 7-foot northwesterly (290-degree deep-water) sea and swell (with a 7- to 11-second period) is forecast on Monday through Wednesday, decreasing to 4- to 6-feet with the same period on Thursday through next Saturday.

Combined with this northwesterly sea and swell, will be 1- to 3-foot southern hemisphere (200-degree deep-water) swell (with a 16- to 18-second period) on Wednesday through Thursday.

Seawater temperatures will range between 52 and 54 degrees through Monday, decreasing to 51 to 53 degrees on Tuesday and remain at this level next Saturday. This week’s temperatures

LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES

LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS

John Lindsey is a retired PG&E marine meteorologist. Email him at JohnLindseyLosOsos@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @PGE_John.