(Map of the National Meteorological Service)
The cloudy skies did not rain much in Santa Barbara County on Saturday, as the first of three storms blew through the region.
As of 4 p.m., Saturday, the Department of Public Works ’rainfall locator showed that most areas of the county received less than 0.3 inches during the previous 24 hours.
“The first of a series of three storm systems will continue to move through the region this evening, and then a stronger storm system is expected for Sunday afternoon through Monday with better chances of rain and mountain snow.” , said the National Meteorological Service in its forecast discussion.
Snow dust was reported at higher elevations and several locations reported hail accumulations.
A colder storm is expected to enter the county Sunday night and Monday, and daytime temperatures are expected to drop in the 1950s early next week, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow levels from this storm are expected to be 3,500 to 4,000 feet on Sunday night and drop to elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 feet on Monday.
On Saturday morning a rainbow shines in the sky over Milpas Street in Santa Barbara. (Photo by Brooke Holland / Noozhawk)
There is also a wind forecast, with gusts as high as 20 mph on Sunday night and 30 mph on Monday night.
The possibility of snow at lower elevations and fast winds means there is a winter storm eve in effect Sunday through Monday evening in the mountains of Santa Barbara County, Ventura, and Los Angeles, including the San Marcos Pass, San Rafael Wilderness and the Dick Smith Wilderness Area.
A person paddles a canoe out of the sea in front of the waves on Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara on Saturday as storm clouds gather. (Photo by Mike Eliason)
The third storm is expected to hit Santa Barbara County Wednesday through Friday and significant amounts of rain and snow will fall. According to the National Meteorological Service, the forecasts will be detailed in the coming days.
Santa Barbara County has recently updated its flood risk and debris flow map below the Thomas Fire burn zone in Montecito, Summerland and Carpentry. It can be viewed online by clicking here and the county has more storm preparedness resources available at readysbc.org/storm-ready/.
Click here for the latest Santa Barbara weather forecast.
Click here for the latest Santa Maria weather forecast.
Click here for the latest Lompoc weather forecast.
Click here for the latest Santa Ynez Valley weather forecast.
– Noozhawk Management Editor Giana Magnoli can be contacted at . (You need JavaScript enabled to view this email address). Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews i @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
Our professional journalists work 24 hours a day to make sure you have the news and information you need in these uncertain times.
If you appreciate Noozhawk’s coronavirus coverage and the rest of Santa Barbara County local news we deliver 24 hours a day, every day of the week, become a member of our Hawks Club today.
You need us more than ever and we need your support.
We offer special benefits for members to demonstrate our trust.