A beachgoer gathers their things from the wetter-than-usual Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara during high tide Wednesday morning.
A beachgoer gathers their things from the wetter-than-usual Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara during high tide Wednesday morning. Credit: Ray Ford / Noozhawk photo

Santa Barbara is setting high-tide records and appears headed for a rainy Halloween weekend. 

The tide gauge at the Santa Barbara Harbor set new records of 7.9 feet on Monday and 8.04 feet on Tuesday, with a chance of more records, the National Weather Service said. 

The record-breaking high tides caused minor coastal flooding and left beachgoers with very little sand for their beach chairs or morning walks.

Santa Barbara County beaches have a Coastal Flooding Advisory in effect through 2 p.m. Friday, with high tides expected to reach 7.5-8 feet late morning on Thursday and near noon on Friday. 

Beach walkers had less sand to stroll during high tide Wednesday morning. The high tides earlier in the week broke records, around 8 feet, the National Weather Service said.
Arroyo Burro Beach walkers had less sand to stroll during high tide Wednesday morning. The high tides earlier in the week broke records, around 8 feet, the National Weather Service said. Credit: Ray Ford / Noozhawk photo

Growing Chance of Rain on Halloween

The region has a 20% chance of rain Thursday night through Friday, which grows to 60-70% on Saturday, the National Weather Service said. 

The chances of a wet Halloween are growing, officials said Wednesday. 

However, Santa Barbara County isn’t expected to see much rainfall – in the range of a half-inch to 1.5 inch, with more in the mountains. 

Temperatures will cool for the weekend, too, with highs in the mid-60s expected on Saturday and lows in the mid- to high-50s.

Weather officials have not issued any rain-related warnings or alerts as they did during last week’s storm, when the county was doused with rain and multiple flash flood warnings were issued.

Check the latest forecast and weather-related alerts here.

Credit: National Weather Service photo

Noozhawk executive editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com.