The first significant storm of the rain season is expected to hit Santa Barbara County on Sunday night and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather front should move through the region between 10 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday, said Tom Fisher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
Most areas should see between half an inch and an inch of rain, Fisher said, with some foothill and mountain locations receiving as much as 2 inches.
“We should see showers most of the day on Monday,” Fisher told Noozhawk on Saturday evening.
The chance of rainfall was pegged at 30% Sunday night, rising to 80% on Monday.
Sunny skies should return on Tuesday.
A Beach Hazards Statement was issued and will remain in effect until 3 p.m. Tuesday.
West-facing beaches could see dangerous rip currents and breakers to 6 feet, according to the statement.
The National Weather Service likely will issue a Winter Storm Advisory for snow levels above 5,000 feet, Fisher said.
The first widespread rainfall of the season likely will make oil-slick roads extra slippery, Fisher said, and motorists are urged to slow down and use extra caution.
High temperatures in the low 60s are expected Sunday through Thursday, with skies clearing beginning on Tuesday.
Overnight lows should be in the upper-40s on Sunday and Monday, dropping to the upper-30s on Tuesday and Wednesday.
As of Saturday, Santa Barbara County overall had received only 2% of normal rainfall for the rain season that begin Sept. 1, according to the county Public Works Department.
Click here for the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
— Noozhawk executive editor Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
