Severe Weather Threat Issued For Santa Barbara County

The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has issued a severe weather threat alert for Santa Barbara County. OEM expects significant wind damage and heavy rain Thursday night and into Friday early morning hours.

Main Impacts according to OEM:

Wind damage ahead of and along the cold front. Gusts over 60 mph may occur in coastal and valley communities creating widespread power outages and downed trees. Rain rates of 0.5 to 1.0 inch per hour are likely. This will quickly create potentially significant roadway flooding for urban areas. Waterspouts or small tornadoes. Although difficult to confirm at night, waterspouts may develop over the ocean along the cold front and briefly reach land causing additional wind damage.

“The main threat will be for one to three hours near the front, with a significant break in the rain following the short-lived severe weather event,” stated OEM. “Additional showers and isolated thunderstorms will redevelop Friday morning and afternoon as the air mass remains quite unstable throughout the day.”

OEM also released the following information:

Estimated times of greatest concern and cold front passage:

San Luis Obispo County: 9 p.m.-Midnight
Santa Barbara County: 10 p.m.-1 a.m.
Ventura County: Midnight-4 a.m.
Los Angeles County: 3 a.m.-7 a.m.