Rain and heavy winds are expected heading into the Christmas holiday, and the National Weather Service issued multiple alerts to residents looking to travel this week.

The NWS issued a flood watch and a high wind alert, warning residents to be careful when driving and traveling. The flood watch is in effect Tuesday afternoon until Thursday for Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

Kristan Lund, a meteorologist, said the NWS is expecting heavy to moderate rainfall between Tuesday and Friday. Reports stated that higher elevations and southeast Santa Barbara County could receive 4 to 6 inches of rain, with some areas possibly receiving 10 inches.

The highest amount of rain is expected to fall on Tuesday night and Wednesday night, heading into Thursday, according to the NWS.

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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation warning for the Lake Fire burn area, including Midland School, Zaca Lake Resort, residences on the 9000 block of Figueroa Mountain Road that are accessed from Tunnel Road, and 7401 Figueroa Mountain Road. Other properties in the area are not listed in the warning, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Get more information on evacuations here.

“Flash flooding and debris flows are dangerous and can result in isolation, serious injury or death,” county officials said Monday night.

Consistent Rain

Lund said that even though the rain is not expected to continue at a heavy rate over the entire period, forecasts show it most likely will be consistent.

“That’s a relative lull in rain rates, not necessarily rain,” Lund said. “We could still be seeing light to moderate showers on Wednesday afternoon, but not necessarily that heavy rainfall.”

NWS officials warned that the storm may not be as heavy as the storm in November, but the sustained rainfall over a long time may have a more significant effect.

The amount of rainfall may not affect larger rivers, but NWS officials warned that smaller creeks and streams could still overflow. Low-lying urban areas also are at risk of flooding.

“(We) can’t rule out some areas with fast stream flow and water rising, but we’re talking about urban area flooding in low-lying areas where significant water rises are expected,” said Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the NWS.

“(It’s) definitely a threat to anyone that’s driving around. (We’re) really encouraging people not to be driving around during this time period.”

There are also concerns of mudslides and debris flows in the foothills and mountains. Cohen said that the amount of rain expected is not enough to cause significant concern about the burn scars caused by the Lake Fire, Gifford Fire and other wildfires in the county.

County officials did issue evacuation warnings, which could be made into shelter-in-place or evacuation orders if conditions change.

Cohen said the amount of rain in the forecast is not enough to exceed the amount the areas can absorb safely.

The NWS is also warning of high winds coming from the south that could reach 30 to 50 miles per hour, with a chance of 80 mph gusts. The high winds could affect most of southwest California and are expected to last from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon.

The warning also reminds residents that the winds could blow down tree branches and power lines, and widespread power outages are possible. Driving may also be difficult for taller vehicles with larger profiles.

Weather Throughout the County

Rain in Santa Barbara is expected to begin sometime after 4 p.m. Tuesday with gusts of wind up to 30 miles per hour. Reports estimate a 30% chance of rain. Daytime temperatures are expected to be in the low 60s during the day and the low 50s overnight.

Wednesday should see daytime temperatures in the low 60s and a 100% chance of rain. There is also a chance of a thunderstorm. Rainfall is expected to be between 1 and 2 inches.

Forecasts predict a 90% chance of rain on Wednesday night with temperatures in the high 40s.

Christmas Day forecasts show showers throughout the day and temperatures in the high 50s. Thursday night also should bring showers overnight and temperatures in the low 40s.

The rain will continue into Friday with daytime temperatures in the mid-50s. Nighttime temperatures will fall into the low 40s with a slight chance of rain.

Buellton and Solvang also are expected to see rain starting Tuesday afternoon. The area is expected to receive about a quarter-inch to a half-inch of rain, but could see gusts as high as 40 miles per hour.

Wednesday could bring showers and a thunderstorm. The weather is expected to be breezy with gusts up to 30 miles per hour and a 100% chance of precipitation. Estimates show that the rainfall could be between three-quarters to 1 inch of rain.

Reports show a 100% chance of rain on Christmas Day with temperatures in the low 60s. Showers are expected to continue Thursday night with temperatures in the mid-40s.

Showers will continue on Friday with daytime temperatures in the low 60s.

The Santa Maria area should see less rain on Tuesday but stronger winds throughout the day. The area can expect about a tenth to a quarter-inch of rain on Tuesday after 10 a.m. and gusts up to 35 miles per hour.

Forecasts show a 90% chance of rain on Wednesday and daytime temperatures in the low 60s and nighttime temperatures in the low 50s. Rainfall is expected to be between a quarter-inch and a half-inch.

Christmas Day will see a 100% chance of rain and daytime temperatures in the low 60s. Showers will continue overnight with temperatures in the low 50s.  

Friday also should bring showers throughout the day with daytime temperatures in the high 50s.

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