Santa Barbara County may get a short break from the heat with a chance of thunderstorms heading into Tuesday.
The National Weather Service is predicting a slight chance of storms after midnight with a chance of rain showers and thunder.
The storms are expected to cover the eastern section of Santa Barbara County and may go down south into Ventura and Los Angeles, according to Carol Smith, a meteorologist with the NWS.
Despite the chance for rain, the heat is expected to continue for much of the week. The NWS is warning residents to be careful if they go on a hike or do any other outdoor activity because of the heat and chance of humidity from increased moisture in the air.
Smith added that hikers who go on trails should leave their dogs at home.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department also warns residents that fire conditions across the county are high because of dry conditions and faster winds.
Heat Advisory and Chance of PSPS
Southern California Edison is considering a Public Safety Power Shutoff starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday for hundreds of customers in southern Santa Barbara County.
About 2,790 customers on the South Coast could be affected by the precautionary power shutoff. No shutoffs had been implemented as of 5:30 p.m. Monday.
SCE’s notice came as a heat advisory has been extended to 6 p.m. Tuesday covering a wide swath of Santa Barbara County, where many areas have experienced above-normal temperatures, according to the NWS.
Weather Across the County
Temperatures in Santa Barbara are expected to be in the 80s for most of the week. There is a 20% chance of storms early Tuesday morning, and temperatures are expected to be in the mid-60s overnight.
The heat should begin to fall beginning Thursday, with temperatures in the high 70s and clear skies during the day. Nighttime temperatures are expected to be in the low 60s.
Friday is likely to bring daytime highs in the mid-70s.
The Solvang area should see temperatures in the low 90s on Tuesday and Wednesday. There is also a 20% chance of rain on Tuesday morning.
Daytime temperatures on Thursday are expected to fall to the high 80s with clear skies after some morning fog, and temperatures dropping to the mid-50s overnight.
Friday’s forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-80s with some fog in the morning.
The Santa Maria Valley and Lompoc Valley are expected to experience cooler weather throughout the week, with daytime temperatures in the high- to mid-70s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Nighttime temperatures should drop to the mid-50s overnight.
Daytime temperatures on Thursday are expected to fall to the low 70s during the day and mid-50s overnight.