Santa Barbara County areas received less than an inch of rain on Tuesday night, but more is expected before the weather dries up for the weekend.
The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management sent out an alert warning of severe weather expected Wednesday night and early Thursday.
“Severe weather is expected in Santa Barbara County tonight into early Thursday morning. The NWS predicts an increased risk for thunderstorms with strong rain, significant wind speeds, lightening, hail, and a remote chance of small and brief tornados or waterspouts.
“Take steps to secure items that could be picked up by strong winds and be ready in the event of power outages. If severe weather occurs, people should seek shelter indoors, in the most interior room, away from windows. Remain vigilant and stay alert to changing weather conditions. For the latest weather updates, visit www.weather.gov/lox.”
According to the county’s hydrology website, in the 24 hours ending at 3 p.m. Wednesday, rainfall totals were 0.59 inches in Santa Barbara; 0.73 inches in Goleta; 0.5 inches in Carpinteria; 0.56 inches in Montecito; 0.36 inches in Buellton; 0.51 inches in Los Alamos; 0.7 inches in Lompoc; 0.77 inches in Orcutt, and 0.71 inches in Santa Maria.
As of Wednesday, the Jameson Reservoir and Gibraltar Reservoir were over 100% capacity; Lake Cachuma was at 97.7% capacity; and Twitchell Reservoir was at 57.6% capacity.
There is a 70% chance of rain and thunder expected Wednesday night in Santa Barbara, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
Windy weather is expected Thursday and Friday before a sunny weekend for the county.
In Santa Maria, there is a 60% chance of rain Wednesday night and wind gusts could reach up to 20 mph, according to the NWS.
On Thursday, Santa Maria will be sunny and can expect to see winds up to 20 mph.
Lompoc has a high surf warning in effect until 8 a.m. Thursday and an 80% chance of rain Wednesday night.
In the Santa Ynez Valley, winds could reach 15 mph with a 70% chance of rain Wednesday night. The chance of rain drops to 20% for Thursday, with gusty winds expected up to 25 mph.
» Click here for the latest Santa Barbara weather forecast.
» Click here for the latest Santa Maria forecast.