Happy Thursday Central Coast! Today is a very active weather day across the region, to make sure all the storm information is easily accessible this article will be updated through the day by both Meteorologist Vivian Rennie and Chief Meteorologist Dave Hovde. Check back for the latest and be sure to stay safe today.
——— 8:45 p.m. update from Chief Meteorologist Dave Hovde ———
While rain continues across the area, mostly Santa Barbara county, the intensity has waned a lot. This gives us time to put the system and the week in some perspective:
——— 4:30 p.m. update from Chief Meteorologist Dave Hovde ———
The advisory situation has changed as of 4pm. Flooding is still a concern as we are saturated but the flash flood warning is now an area flood warning thru 1am.
——— 3:02 p.m. update from Chief Meteorologist Dave Hovde ———
More severe weather continues to push up from the south to the Southcoast. Waterspouts are a concern with this latest warning:
——— 1 p.m. update from Meteorologist Vivian Rennie ———
Heavy rain is still battering the south coast as they remain under a flash flood warning through 4 p.m. Here is a look at the radar just before 1 p.m.
We are heading into some of the busiest travel days of the year and with several systems pushing across the country there are several causes for travel concern.
Firstly our storm system will bring very hazardous travel to the south coast today and continued concern as far south as the Mexico border for the next few days.
Additionally a snowstorm is headed into the Rockies. By Sunday both synoptic (large scale) systems will have pushed into the mid west making travel there tricky as well.
———10:30 a.m. update from Meteorologist Vivian Rennie———
The torrential downpour on the south coast is causing substantial flooding of streets and especially as you can see here, underpasses.
Remember to not drive through water, or you may end up like these cars.
UPDATE: The US 101 southbound off-ramp is closed at Garden Street in Santa Barbara. Video shows current conditions at Mission Street.
— Caltrans District 5 (@CaltransD5) December 21, 2023
No estimate for opening.@CaltransHQ @PIOJimShivers https://t.co/QS1PXbDunE pic.twitter.com/73wNByeS9k
——— 8:45 a.m. update from Meteorologist Vivian Rennie ———
A special weather statement has been issued for Santa Barbara CA, Goleta CA and Montecito CA until 9:45 AM PST pic.twitter.com/WKr81TE9tl
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 21, 2023
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
A Flash flood warning has been issued for Southeastern Santa Barbara County and will stay in effect through 4 p.m. this afternoon. Rainfall rates are above 1 inch per hour, flash flooding is expected to begin shortly. With this amount of rain ongoing landslides and debris flows are expected. Areas most likely to flood include creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. Take shelter and do not drive into standing water.
Here is a discussion of the storm as of 9 a.m.
———7:30 a.m. Update from Meteorologist Vivian Rennie ———
A Flood Advisory has been issued for central and southern Santa Barbara County and will remain in effect through 1 p.m.
More flooding in low lying and poor drainage areas is expected as well as water over roadways.
This next round of rain is expected to bring several more inches of rain to already water logged ground. Take caution through the day today.
———Original Article ———
Good morning Central Coast!
Wednesday was a hectic day for weather across the region but we aren't done yet! The low pressure that fueled the heavy rain and flooding yesterday is making a turn and moving east. As that shift in track takes over we will see a small break in the rain but it won't last long more heavy rain will move in as we push into mid morning.
Check out your interactive radar here!
Just a few showers will feature to start the day but heavier rain will overspread the region by mid morning and once again bring us flooding risk and tricky driving conditions.
Showers will begin on the southcoast to start and are expected to bring heavy rain for the vast majority of the day. When combined with the heavy rain the past few days brought soil is saturated as well as more water already in the waterways. This will bring much higher chances for widespread flooding.
The rain will stick around for much of the day, focusing in along the south coast and the Santa Ynez mountain peaks. 2.5 to 4 more inches of rain is expected there and for most communities 0.75" to 1.5" inches of rain is expected today.
Here is a look at the rain totals for all communities to this point!
Tonight into Friday morning winds will turn offshore and begin to cut us off from the source of all this rain. Some scattered showers will continue but by mid day Friday we will be all but done.
Saturday will feature some marine fog but sunshine will be the biggest weather headline.
As we head into the weekend and for Christmas sunshine and wonderful weather is expected. Looking into the extended forecast a few systems will make a pass at the region. None look as big as this weeks soggy conditions but we will be watching the forecast for some action near new years day.
Have a wonderful day central Coast and stay safe!
