Rain is expected to continue through Sunday in Santa Barbara County, with another chance of precipitation early next week, according to the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
“There should be periods of rain through the weekend,” meteorologist Dave Gomberg told Noozhawk Friday afternoon. “It won’t be persistent, but off and on.”
A plume of moisture sitting over the region had dropped varying amounts of rain locally over the 24-hour period ending at 5 p.m. Friday.
San Marcos Pass was the wettest spot, with 1.7 inches recorded, according to the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department.
Other rainfall totals included Santa Barbara, 0.62 inches; Goleta, 0.66 inches; Santa Maria, 0.33 inches; Lompoc, 0.50 inches; Solvang, 0.30 inches; Montecito; 0.71 inches; and Carpinteria, 0.53 inches.
No major rain-related problems were reported Friday, although there were numerous vehicle crashes on rain-slick roads.
Another 1 to 2 inches was expected to fall in most areas through the weekend, with some foothill and mountains areas getting as much as 3 inches of rain, Gomberg said.
North County areas should begin seeing increasing rainfall rates overnight into Saturday morning, Gomberg said, with stronger downpours likely along the South Coast Saturday evening into Sunday.
“There will be periods of light to moderate rain, but it will add up over time,” Gomberg said.
Snow levels are predicted to stay above 6,500 feet, which means it’s unlikely the white stuff will fall on local mountains.
No storm-related warnings are expected, Gomberg said, but there may be advisories for localized roadway and small-stream flooding.
The rainy forecast prompted Goleta to postpone its holiday parade from Saturday night to next weekend, Dec. 10, at the same time and place.
Daytime highs should be in the low-60s, with overnight lows around 40.
Sunny skies are expected to return on Monday, but another chance of rain is in the forecast for Tuesday, Gomberg said.
County Environmental Health Services officials issued a warning to the public Friday about the risks associated with stormwater runoff.
Contact with storm water while swimming or surfing may increase the risk for certain types of illnesses, such as rashes, fever, chills, ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhea.
People are urged to wait at three days after rainfall before entering the water in creeks and the ocean.
Additionally, sport harvesters should wait at least 10 days after a significant rain to harvest shellfish.
High bacterial levels, pesticide, herbicides and motor oil grease flushed into the ocean with the storm runoff may contaminate the shellfish beds.
Click here for the latest forecast for the National Weather Service in Oxnard.