Scattered showers dropped on Santa Barbara County’s South Coast Sunday and Monday as the region waited to see the impacts from tropical storm Hilary, which had been downgraded from a hurricane earlier.
The heaviest rain locally was expected from 6 p.m. to midnight Sunday, according to the National Weather Service, and no major impacts were reported. Less than an inch of rain dropped on South County areas.
More extreme storm impacts were expected in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and other points south and to the east.
Rain-filled clouds from Tropical Storm Hilary gather over the Santa Barbara Harbor on Sunday afternoon. (Ray Ford / Noozhawk photo) 
Lulu the dog plays in the rain at Alameda Park in Santa Barbara on Sunday afternoon. (Peter Hartmann / Noozhawk photo) 
Rain from tropical storm Hilary may have been less than forecast in Santa Barbara by Sunday evening, but it produced a terrific rainbow as seen from the Mesa neighborhood. (Dennis Houghton photo) 
Sunday’s colorful sunset in Santa Barbara. (Joe Gechter photo) 
Sunday evening’s rainbow from Shoreline Park in Santa Barbara. (Thomas Balshaw photo) 
Tropical storm Hilary brought on again and off again showers on Sunday afternoon in Santa Barbara. (Peter Hartmann / Noozhawk photo) 
The double rainbow off of San Antonio Creek Road in Santa Barbara on Sunday evening. (Allen Williams photo) 
Rain-filled clouds from Tropical Storm Hilary gather over the Santa Barbara Harbor on Sunday afternoon. (Ray Ford / Noozhawk photo) 
Sunday evening’s rainbow from Shoreline Park in Santa Barbara. (Thomas Balshaw photo) 
Sunday evening’s double rainbow from San Roque in Santa Barbara. (Patricia Tangney photo) 
Rainy weather on Santa Barbara’s Stearns Wharf on Sunday afternoon. (Peter Hartmann / Noozhawk photo) 
Sunday evening’s tropical storm Hilary rainbow in Montecito. (Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo)
The flood watch was in effect for the period of 4 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.m. Monday for the foothills above Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria, according to the County Office of Emergency Management. The watch was also issued for interior mountains and the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Mountains range.
The monitoring station at Tecolote Canyon west of Goleta recorded the most rain in Santa Barbara County as of Monday morning, with 0.7 inches. That was followed closely by the San Marcos Pass station with 0.6 inches.
The Cuyama Valley recorded a quarter-inch of rain Sunday, which helped crews gain containment of the Plant Fire.
The South Coast had a 60% chance of rain Sunday afternoon and 70% chance of showers Sunday night, according to the weather service. Forecasters told Noozhawk on Friday that the area could get a few inches of rain.
The chance of rain drops to 50% Monday with clearing throughout the day, and sunny skies expected Tuesday.
The chance of rain and thunderstorms is slightly lower in the North County for this tropical storm, with a 50% chance Sunday night and then 30% to 40% on Monday.
Office of Emergency Management information about the tropical storm is available here, including sandbag filling locations.
Check the weather service forecast for Santa Barbara here.
Check the forecast for Santa Maria here.
Check the forecast for Lompoc here.
Check the forecast for the Santa Ynez Valley here.
