After taking Sunday off, rain is expected to return to Santa Barbara County on Monday, with the latest storm system lingering through Wednesday morning.
The February cold front, snow-capped by the weekend’s rare and widespread blanket of white stuff on local mountains, appears unlikely to extend much into March, according to the National Weather Service.
Through Wednesday, the weather service is forecasting high temperatures in the mid-50s around the county with overnight lows in the upper 30s and low 40s.
Beginning on Thursday, however, daytime temperatures are expected to begin creeping up into the low and mid-60s.
Interior mountain areas won’t be as “balmy,” with daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-30s on Monday to the mid-40s by the weekend.
Sailboat masts point to the snow covering the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara on Sunday. Credit: Elizabeth Brooks photo 
Lake Cachuma continues to spill over Bradbury Dam on Sunday. More rain is expected through Wednesday. 
Snow blankets the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara on Sunday as locals enjoy a one-day break from storms. Credit: Elizabeth Brooks photo 
Sunday views from the Santa Barbara Harbor. Credit: Elizabeth Brooks photo 
The storm-swollen Santa Ynez River flows west through Lompoc on Sunday toward the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Credit: Peter Hartmann / Noozhawk photo 
Snow-capped mountains above Santa Barbara may get another dusting on Monday. Credit: Elizabeth Brooks photo 
Although sunshine returned to Santa Barbara on Sunday, it wasn’t enough to melt the snow blanketing the mountains above. Credit: Andrew Bermant photo 
The Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara rarely have a chance to wear their winter whites. Credit: Elizabeth Brooks photo
The weather service said rain mixed with snow is expected in the mountains through Wednesday, with snowfall accumulations of a half-inch to an inch each day.
More rainfall is forecast elsewhere in the county, the weather service said, although not as much precipitation as last week.
A 70% chance of rain is expected Monday, with a 60% chance on Tuesday and Wednesday. The forecast calls for less than a half-inch of rain in coastal and valley areas.
Click here for the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.