The Day Before Christmas Brings Unusual Rain To The Central Coast
Jarrod Zinn
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Christmas Eve was celebrated up and down the Central Coast today, despite the rain.
A lot of people stayed indoors today.
While the rain isn’t necessarily unusual for the Central Coast this time of year, it does seem to be unusual for the Christmas holiday itself.
’Twas the day before Christmas and along the Central Coast, fewer people than normal may have been stirring, ‘cause the weather’s usually warm as toast!
“We’re here for the weekend. For the week, actually,” says Sandra Carlson, Lives In Arizona. “And we were surprised that you guys are getting all this rain.”
Santa held hours at Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo for the last time in 2025, and a lull in the weather brought families out just a few hours before the rain again went live.
“We moved from outside to inside the house here, which is very comfortable,” says Santa. “And we get a lot of people show up for the last Christmas Eve to see Santa and we’re very pleased.”
Some folks at Pismo Beach said this weather makes much more sense for a holiday celebrated in December, unlike so many years hence.
“We’ve been very fortunate for the last few years that the weather’s been pretty mild if not warm,” says Scotty Jalbert with SLO County Emergency Services. “So it just so happens that the storm hits right during Christmas Eve and Christmas this year.”
Emergency services in SLO and Santa Barbara counties know this is not typical weather, and they are ready to spring at whatever this stormy Christmas Eve night may decide to bring.
“Slow your speeds down,” says Jalbert. “Watch out for hydroplaning. Sometimes your standing water on the side of the road, you can lose control of your vehicle, keep a safe distance and don’t be in a hurry.”
“Have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year,” says Santa.
County officials send reminders to tune in to emergency notification systems and celebrate responsibly.
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