Warm days are expected in Santa Barbara County this week before a storm this weekend brings cooler temperatures and the season’s first chance of rain.
After a cold Tuesday night – with lows in the 20s and 30s – the region will have daytime temperatures reaching 75-80 degrees this week, according to the National Weather Service.
Meteorologists said there’s high confidence in some rain and mountain snow falling this weekend, but less confidence in the timing and amounts.
The current forecast for Santa Barbara County shows chances of rain for Saturday through Monday, with amounts of half an inch or less.
The storm will bring a drop in temperatures as well: Santa Barbara will have a daytime high of 76 degrees on Thursday and then a high of 58 degrees on Saturday, according to the NWS forecast.
The National Weather Service issued fire weather warnings for Ventura and Los Angeles counties this week, with Red Flag Warnings in effect through Thursday night.
There’s a chance some mountain areas of Santa Barbara County will be placed in the warning area due to low humidity, warm weather and windy conditions, the NWS said.
After two wet winters, the county has edged back into drought conditions, which raises concerns about water supplies and fire danger, Noozhawk Editor in Chief Tom Bolton reported this week.
Since the start of the water year on Sept. 1, the county overall has received just 7% of normal precipitation.