Warmer weather is expected in Santa Barbara County over the weekend, with highs in the 90s in some areas and elevated surf predicted for coastal areas.
The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement for coastal areas, effective from 5 p.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Monday.
The statement warns of “dangerous rip currents and breaking waves due to elevated surf of five to eight fight expected,” bringing an increased risk of ocean drowning.
“Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea,” the National Weather Service said in the alert, urging people to remain out of water. “Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore.”
National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Kittell said this higher surf is mainly coming from a south swell connected to Hurricane Jova so most of the South Coast should be sheltered from it.
“There’s some weirdness in that it might rain,” Kitell added. “It is a small chance.”
Fringes of Hurricane Jova are also bringing a 20% chance of showers for the county between Saturday morning and Sunday morning, Kittell said.
Sundowner winds with gusts between 30 and 40 mph are expected over the foothill areas and the San Marcos Pass Saturday and Sunday nights, and dense fog can be anticipated in the mornings.
Coastal areas and the North County will see high temperatures in the mid-70s to mid-80s this weekend, while the foothills of the South Coast and the Santa Ynez Valley will have high temperatures in the mid-80s to mid-90s.
Kittell said a cooling trend for the county is anticipated to come next week, starting Monday or Tuesday.
Check the Santa Barbara weather forecast from NWS here.
Check the Santa Maria weather forecast from NWS here.