A storm heading to Santa Barbara County later this week has the potential to paint heavy amounts of rain and will bring wind and snow expected in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.
“You have everything in Santa Barbara County,” said John Dumas, a meteorologist at NWS in Oxnard.
After a dry Tuesday, a severe storm is expected to stop over the region on Wednesday and Thursday, mainly in northern Santa Barbara County, talks on the NWS forecast said.
The storm will start moving around the area on Thursday and Friday.
The total precipitation from Tuesday evening to Friday evening is expected to vary between 4 inches and 8 inches in Santa Barbara County, the western and northern part of the county obtaining higher amounts, according to the forecast of the National Meteorological Service.
“The number depends on where you are in Santa Barbara County,” Dumas said, adding, “I would say 5 inches would not be unreasonable, but less (rain) over Santa Barbara itself.”
Such heavy rainfall could cause localized flooding and other problems, and officials say they will monitor recently burned areas for any major concerns.
Aaron Briner, head of the Montecito fire protection district battalion, said in a statement Tuesday that rainfall and winds from the storm increase the risk of rock falls on mountain and canyon roads, flooding problems and delays and traffic accidents. .
“The storm impact map will be used by emergency managers to consider evacuation needs if there is an anticipated event of saturation precipitation with a period of high / short intensity precipitation reaching approximately 10 inches of rain in two to three days, ”he wrote. .
The Santa Barbara County Storm Impact Considerations Map shows areas below the Thomas Fire burn area that could be affected by storm floods and debris flows. The map includes the communities of Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria Valley. (Screenshot via ReadySBC.org)
Briner said emergency managers do not anticipate issuing warnings or evacuation orders for the storm, but that could change if the weather forecast or conditions change.
The Thomas Impact Storm Impact Considerations Map and FEMA flood risk map are available for online viewing at https://readysbc.org/maps/.
The county has also created a storm risk map for the 2019 Cave burn area.
Tom Fayram, deputy director of water resources in Santa Barbara County, said the county is in constant contact with agencies in the Montecito storm impact team.
The county will monitor rainfall and “if there is debris, we will mobilize, as we have over the years to restore conditions,” Fayram told Noozhawk in an email.
The forecast wind and snow caused a winter storm warning for the mountains of Santa Barbara County, in force, until 22:00 on Monday. The weather service said the warning includes San Marcos Pass, San Rafael Wilderness and the Dick Smith Wilderness area.
Wind gusts of up to 65 mph are forecast, and total snow accumulations could range from 2-5 inches in some areas.
Snow could affect the low elevation, up to 2,500 feet on Monday night and up to 5,000 feet on Wednesday.
“Overall, this will be a significant rain and snow event, especially in San Luis Obispo / Santa Barbara counties,” the NWS forecast said.
Daytime highs should be close to 60 degrees Tuesday and mid-50s through Wednesday, with overnight lows in the 1940s.
The hail remains on Jalama Road in western Santa Barbara County on Monday. (Photo by Mike Eliason)
Lake Cachuma had a capacity of about 64%, the Jameson tank in Montecito had a capacity of about 74%, the Twitchell tank had a capacity of almost 2%, and the Gibraltar tank in Santa Barbara was full of over 9% since Monday afternoon , according to the flood control district in the county. .
“We need this rain for any hope of entering our tanks this year,” Fayram said.
On Monday afternoon, the county was about 31% of its normal rainfall and measured about 15% of its normal water rainfall, which began on September 1 and ends on August 31.
“We need rain, but we will be on top,” Fayram said.
Recommendations for wind, high surf in force for areas on the south coast
Coastal areas will also see strong winds this week, according to NWS.
A wind advisory will be in place until Monday, 22:00, on the south coast of Santa Barbara County, including the areas of Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria.
Northwest winds of 20-35 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Meteorologists said road trips in the area could be affected by high winds, including Highway 101, Highway 154 and Highway 192 in Santa Barbara County.
“Slow down and consider using alternative routes to avoid highways in the mountains,” wrote the County Emergency Management Bureau. Twitter.
In addition, there will be a high surf notice in effect until 6 pm on Tuesday along some beaches on the south coast.
Waves of 5-8 feet and dangerous currents are expected on the exposed beaches facing west until Tuesday morning, with possible local sets of up to 10 feet. Surfing is expected to decline slowly on Tuesday afternoon, forecasters said.
According to the NWS, there is a potential for localized flooding in coastal areas due to high surfing and expected rainfall later this week.
Storm Preparation Tips
Santa Barbara County recently updated its flood risk map and debris flows under the Thomas Fire burn area in Montecito, Summerland and Carpentry.
This can be viewed online by clicking here, and the county has more storm preparedness resources available at readysbc.org/storm-ready/.
Sign up for emergency alert messages from the county online here or by following the instructions at readysbc.org.
The Nixle alert system sends messages of 138 characters, and residents can register by sending a postal code to the number 888777.
Residents should prepare by taking all measures they can to protect their properties and businesses, such as placing sandbags around areas they know tend to flood, said Kelly Hubbard, director The County Emergency Management Office.
»Click here for information on where to find sandbags in the county.
Residents should also consider checking emergency kits to make sure they are supplied with working batteries, flashlights, water, food, first aid kits and other items.
»Click here for a guide to homeowners for flood prevention and response and click here for the guide in Spanish.
“Once the rain starts, residents should really consider staying home when possible,” Hubbard said. “When driving, remember to turn around and not cross flooded roads. It only takes a few inches of water to create unsafe conditions.”
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– Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be contacted at . (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Sign in with Noozhawk on Facebook.