More strong winds and rain are expected Tuesday night into Wednesday, with a risk of fallen trees, power outages and flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
Monitoring stations recorded 50-mph-plus gusts Monday at the Santa Barbara Airport, Gaviota and in the Santa Ynez Mountains, and similarly strong winds will hit the community for this next storm, meteorologist Ryan Kittell said.
“This is the thing that most people will notice — this storm has a lot of wind behind it,” Kittell said.
Fallen trees were reported across Highway 101 and neighborhoods across the Goleta Valley and Santa Barbara during Monday’s stormy weather.
“Unfortunately, whatever trees survived those winds, some of them won’t make this one,” Kittell said.
Gusty winds of 40 mph or more, rain, and possible thunderstorms are in the forecast, with the most significant impacts between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday.
The winds are expected to cause downed trees, power outages, and airport delays.
Check the Southern California Edison outage map and the PG&E outage map for information about planned and unplanned power outages.
Peak wind gusts expected for Tuesday night into Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Credit: National Weather Service photo
Most areas will see less rain Tuesday than they got Monday, but thunderstorms could cause roadway flooding and mudslides, Kittell said.
A flood watch in effect Tuesday night, a wind advisory is in effect through 3 a.m. Wednesday, and a high surf advisory is in effect through 10 p.m. Friday.
A gale warning will be in effect from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday.
“Definitely don’t go on the water, and park your cars away from trees as much as you can,” Kittell said.
A flood watch was issued for Santa Barbara County Tuesday night. Credit: National Weather Service photo
Tornado Warning But No Confirmed Tornados in Santa Ynez Valley
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning and WEA cellphone alert Monday night to people in the Santa Ynez Valley, but no confirmed tornado was reported.
Kittell said warnings are issued when there’s something significant on the radar, such as a spinning storm. If people receive an emergency alert for a tornado warning or severe thunderstorm warning, “the best thing to do is get inside and get away from windows until it passes,” he said.
These types of weather events usually pass quickly, within an hour or so, so people don’t have to hunker down all day, he added.
The storm timing and impacts. Credit: National Weather Service photo
Snow and Rain
Snow levels could reach down to 3,000 feet, so even local peaks including Figueroa Mountain and San Rafael Mountain could get a few inches of snow with this cold storm.
Drivers should avoid traveling to and through mountain communities Monday night if they can, the weather service suggests.
The snowy, windy weather will probably affect Interstate 5 and the Tejon Pass through the Grapevine area.
Delays or closures there can cause more drivers to take Highway 101 through Santa Barbara County.
Rainy weather is expected through Thursday before a break Friday and Saturday. Another storm or two is likely for next week, the National Weather Service said.
