April Showers Tangle Traffic, Catch Many Offguard on the Central Coast

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - If you were not paying attention Monday you saw sunshine and had no concern about any rain in the forecast. But it was only hours away.

By 7:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, it was raining in a pattern from San Luis Obispo to Goleta. By mid-day it was spreading through Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria and Ventura.

Drivers coming down Highway 101 from northern Santa Barbara County were delayed significantly from Gaviota to Refugio by a three vehicle crash that slowed traffic and backed up or rerouted thousands of cars. Many were workers heading into Santa Barbara and Goleta and some were heading to the airport to catch a flight.

There was also a vehicle crash northbound on Highway 101 in Carpinteria at Padaro Lane slowing traffic on that busy stretch. On surface streets two vehicles crashed at Gutierrez and Canada Streets on the Santa Barbara Eastside.

The unhoused were seeking doorways, shelters, tarps and blankets to cover themselves until at least noon.

Near the harbor the Ruby Princess cruise ship was in town for the day and passengers came ashore, some without rain gear.

Many got right on tour buses. Others walked to Stearns Wharf, the Funk Zone, and downtown.

Overall rainfall totals were forecasted to be less than a half of an inch.

The Santa Ynez Valley has had a very wet fall, winter and early spring with about 50 inches on San Marcos Pass and 32 inches in some areas around Lake Cachuma.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.