A storm that hits Santa Barbara County later this week has the potential to cause heavy rain and bring expected wind and snow in some areas, according to the National Meteorological Service.
“You have everything in Santa Barbara County,” said John Dumas, an NWS meteorologist in Oxnard.
After a dry Tuesday, a strong storm is expected to stop in the region as early as Wednesday and Thursday, mainly in northern Santa Barbara County, the NWS forecast said.
The storm will begin to move through the area Thursday and Friday.
The total precipitation from Tuesday night to Friday night is expected to vary between 10 and 20 centimeters across the county of Santa Bárbara, with the western and northern parts of the county obtaining higher values, 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 that 5 inches would not be reasonable, but less (rain) over Santa Barbara itself.”
This amount of rain can cause localized flooding and other problems, and officials say they will be looking at recent burn areas for major concerns.
Aaron Briner, battalion chief of the Montecito Fire Protection District, said in a statement on Tuesday that rain and storm winds increase the risk of rocks falling on mountain and canyon roads, floods and traffic delays and accidents.
“The storm impact consideration map will be used by emergency managers to consider evacuation needs if there is an anticipated saturation rain event with a high-intensity / short-term rain period that reaches approximately 25 centimeters of rain in two three days, “he wrote.
The Storm Impact Considerations map in Santa Barbara County shows the areas below the Thomas fire burning area that may be affected by storm-related floods and debris flows. The map includes the communities of Montecito, Summerland and Vale Carpinteria. (Screenshot via ReadySBC.org)
Briner said that emergency managers do not anticipate issuing evacuation warnings or orders for this storm, but that could change if the forecast or weather conditions change.
The Thomas Fire Storm Impact Consideration Map and the FEMA Flood Risk Map are available for viewing online at https://readysbc.org/maps/.
The county also created a storm-related risk map for the 2019 Cave burning area.
Tom Fayram, deputy director of water resources for Santa Barbara County, said the county is in constant contact with the Montecito storm impact team agencies.
The county will be monitoring the rains and “if any debris is produced, we will mobilize, as we have done over the years to restore conditions,” Fayram told Noozhawk via email.
The wind and snow forecast generated a winter storm alert for the mountains of Santa Barbara County in effect until 10pm on Monday. The weather service said the warning included the San Marcos Pass, the San Rafael Wilderness and the Dick Smith Wilderness.
The forecast is for gusts of up to 65 mph, and total snow accumulation can vary from 2 to 5 inches in some areas.
Snow can impact at low elevations, 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,” said the discussion on the NWS forecast.
Daytime highs are expected to be close to 60 degrees on Tuesday and from the mid-1950s to Wednesday, with overnight lows at around 40 degrees.
Hail continues on Jalama Road in western Santa Barbara County on Monday. (Photo by Mike Eliason)
Lago Cachuma was about 64% full, the Jameson de Montecito reservoir was about 74% full, the Twitchell reservoir was almost 2% full and the Santa Barbara reservoir in Gibraltar was over 9% full in Monday afternoon, according to the county’s flood control district.
“We need this rain to hope for an inflow into our reservoirs this year,” said Fayram.
As of Monday afternoon, the county had about 31% of its normal rainfall to date, and measured at about 15% of its normal rainfall for the year, which started on September 1 and ends on August 31.
“We need the rain, but we will take care of it too,” said Fayram.
Wind warnings, high surf in effect for areas on the south coast
Coastal areas will also see strong winds this week, according to the NWS.
A wind alert will be in effect until 10 pm on Monday on the southern coast of Santa Barbara County, including the Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria areas.
Northwest winds of 20-35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph are forecast. Meteorologists said travel on highways in the area could be affected by gusts of crosswind, including highways 101, 154 and 192 in Santa Barbara County.
“Slow down and consider using alternative routes to avoid highways in the mountains,” wrote the county’s Emergency Management Office in Twitter.
In addition, there will be a high surf alert in effect until 6pm on Tuesday at some beaches on the South Coast.
Waves of 1.5 to 2.5 meters and dangerous currents are expected on exposed beaches facing west until Tuesday morning, with possible local variations of up to 3 meters. Surfing is expected to decline slowly on Tuesday afternoon, meteorologists said.
There is a potential for flooding located in coastal areas with high waves and the rains expected later this week, according to the NWS.
Storm Preparation Tips
Santa Barbara County recently updated its flood risk and debris flow map below the Thomas Fire burning area in Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria.
This can be seen online by clicking here, and the county has more storm preparedness resources available at readysbc.org/storm-ready/.
Sign up to receive county emergency alert messages online here or by following the instructions at readysbc.org.
The Nixle alert system sends 138-character messages and residents can sign up by sending a text message with the zip code to 888777.
Residents should prepare by taking all possible measures to protect their properties and businesses, such as placing sandbags around areas that they know are prone to flooding, said Kelly Hubbard, director of the county’s Emergency Management Office.
»Click here for information on where to find sandbags in the municipality.
Residents should also consider checking their emergency kits to ensure they are stocked with functioning batteries, flashlights, water, food, first aid kits and other items.
»Click here for an owner’s guide to flood prevention and response and click here for the guide in Spanish.
“As soon as the rain starts, residents should really think about staying home when possible,” said Hubbard. “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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