What is El Niño?

El Niño is a warming of water in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator that typically happens every three to four years. The 2026-2027 season is forecast by the National Weather Service to be a one of the strongest events on record. 

El Niño provides the climate backdrop but it does not guarantee storms will impact Southern California, or SLO County specifically.  El Niño should be thought of as a seasonal background rather than an actual weather event. It influences climate patterns, but doesn't control when, where or how strong individual storms will be.  

This means that while a very strong El Niño tilts the broad probability toward a wetter season, the likelihood of severe impacts in specific locations is not guaranteed.  

However, residents of SLO County are strongly encouraged to prepare for the possibility of increased winter storm activity. While El Niño does not guarantee severe weather, taking steps to prepare in advance can help residents, families, and communities stay safe and reduce the potential impacts of significant winter storms.

This page is NEW! Please check back frequently for updates.

How Are We Preparing? 

The County and local cities are preparing for potential impacts from El Niño, including rain, flooding, coastal erosion and debris flows both through mitigation efforts and public information.

The County has formed a task force comprised of county departments, cities, agencies and partner non profits to coordinate mitigation and preparedness activities countywide.  

Preparations and mitigation activities are currently taking place. County Public Works and city public works agencies are inspecting roads, clearing debris and sediment from culverts and storm drains and making repairs as needed. County departments, including Sheriff's Office, County Fire, Social Services and Parks, are working hard to ensure they are ready to respond to any storm related issues. 

How does the State Proclamation of Emergency Help Us? 

The Governor Proclaimed a State of Emergency to mobilize state agencies to be better prepared to assist local governments.  While a lot of specific details are not yet released, the proclamation is meant to provide resources more quickly, fast track permitting for repairs and flood management projects and be prepared to mobile resources more quickly.