Rainy Thursday, flood alerts issued

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - Overnight showers Wednesday will give us a rainy start to the day Thursday - especially for Santa Barbara and Ventura as the late summer storm arrives from the south.

Spotty showers are likely to pass through north county and San Luis Obispo County by Thursday afternoon. Thunderstorms remain possible in our area through early Friday.

A flood watch goes in effect Wednesday night through Thursday night for interior mountains and valleys across the region.

Rainfall total estimates range from a tenth of an inch up to 1 inch possible locally during this week's system. Totals will be dependent on where the stronger storm cells linger. Heavy pockets of rain are expected in our interior areas, with light to moderate spotty showers expected across the region.

We will be mostly dry over the weekend through rain chances remain present through early next week with the possibility of additional moisture from the coast of Mexico.