A storm heading into Santa Barbara County later this week could cause heavy amounts of rain and cause wind and snow forecast in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.
“You have it all in Santa Barbara County,” John Dumas, an NWS meteorologist in Oxnard, said.
After a dry Tuesday, a severe storm is expected to stop in the region as early as Wednesday and Thursday, mostly north of Santa Barbara County, according to the discussion on NWS forecasts.
The storm will start circulating in the area on Thursday and Friday.
Total rainfall from Tuesday night through Friday evening is expected to range from 4 to 8 inches across Santa Barbara County, and the western and northern part of the county will get 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 reasonable, but less (rain) on Santa Barbara itself.”
So much rainfall could cause localized flooding and other problems, and officials say they will look at the recently burned areas for any major concerns.
Aaron Briner, battalion chief of Montecito’s fire protection district, said in a statement Tuesday that rainfall and winds from this storm increase the risk of rock falls on mountain roads and canyons, flooding problems and traffic delays and accidents.
“The storm impact consideration map will be used by emergency managers to consider evacuation needs if a saturation rain event is anticipated with a period of high-intensity / short-term rainfall that it gets about 10 inches of rain in two or three days, ”he wrote. .
The Santa Barbara County Storm Impact Considerations Map shows areas below the Thomas Fire burn zone that could be affected by storm-related flooding and debris flows. The map includes the communities of Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria Valley. (Screenshot via ReadySBC.org)
Briner said emergency managers do not plan to issue warnings or evacuation orders for this storm, but that could change if the weather or weather conditions change.
The Thomas Fire Storm Impact Considerations Map and the FEMA Flood Risk Map are available to view online at https://readysbc.org/maps/.
The county also created a storm-related risk map for the 2019 cave fire burn zone.
Tom Fayram, Santa Barbara County deputy director of water resources, said the county is in constant contact with storm impact team agencies in Montecito.
The county will monitor rainfall and “in the event of wreckage, we will mobilize as we have restored conditions over the years,” Fayram told Noozhawk in an email.
Expected wind and snow caused a winter storm warning for the Santa Barbara County Mountains in effect until 10 p.m. Monday. The weather service said the warning includes the San Marcos Pass, San Rafael Wilderness and the Dick Smith Wilderness area.
The forecast includes gusts of wind up to 65 mph, and total snow accumulations could range from 2 to 5 inches in some areas.
Snow could affect low elevations, up to 2,500 feet on Monday evening, and up to 5,000 feet on Wednesday.
“Overall, it will be a significant rain and snow event, especially in all San Luis Obispo / Santa Barbara counties,” the NWS forecast discussion said.
Daytime highs should be around 60 degrees on Tuesdays and mid-50s on Wednesdays, with nighttime lows in the 1940s.
Monday it sticks to Jalama Road, west of Santa Barbara County. (Photo by Mike Eliason)
Lake Cachuma had about 64% capacity, the Jameson Reservoir at Montecito had about 74% capacity, the Twitchell Reservoir had almost 2% capacity, and the Santa Barbara Gibraltar Reservoir was fuller. 9% Monday afternoon, according to the county’s flood control district. .
“We need this rain for any hope of entering our reservoirs this year,” Fayram said.
On Monday afternoon, the county was about 31% of the current normal rainfall and measured about 15% of the normal rainfall of the aquatic year that began on September 1 and ended on December 31. ‘August.
“We need the rain, but we’ll be on top of it, too,” Fayram said.
Wind, High Surf Advisures in Effect for South Coast Areas
Coastal areas will also see strong winds this week, according to the NWS.
There will be wind advice until 10pm on the south coast of Santa Barbara County, including the Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpentry areas.
A northwest wind between 20 and 35 mph is expected, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Meteorologists said road trips in the area could be affected by rusty 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,” he wrote to the county’s Emergency Management Office Twitter.
In addition, there will be high surfing advice in place until 6pm on Tuesday on some beaches on the south coast.
Waves of 5 to 8 feet and dangerous wear currents are expected on the beaches exposed to the west until Tuesday morning, with possible local sets of up to 10 feet. Surfing is expected to slow slowly on Tuesday afternoon, according to forecasters.
According to the NWS, there is potential for localized flooding in coastal areas due to high flooding and rainfall expected later this week.
Storm Preparation Tips
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/.
Sign up for 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 to 888777.
Residents should prepare by taking whatever steps they can to protect their properties and businesses, such as placing sandbags around areas they know tend to flood, said Kelly Hubbard, director of the ‘County Emergency Management Office.
»Click here for information on where to find sandbags in the county.
Residents should also consider checking their emergency kits to make sure they are stocked with working batteries, flashlights, water, food, first aid kits and other items.
»Click here for a homeowner’s guide to flood prevention and response and click here for the guide in Spanish.
“Once the rain starts, residents should really think about 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 . (You need JavaScript enabled to view this email address). Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews i @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.