Monday’s strong Pacific storm triggers another round of flood, wind, and surf alerts

The parade of storms continues Monday with another atmospheric river event, bringing significant rain and wind, plus high surf. All commuters should take extra caution.

A flash flood warning is in effect until 4:45 for most of Santa Barbara County, central SLO County, and western Ventura County. Shelter in place and do not travel unless necessary.

A flood advisory is in effect until 3:30 pm for all of San Luis Obispo County, until 8:00 pm for all of Santa Barbara County, and until 2:30 pm in Ventura County. If you encounter roadway flooding, turn around and never drive or walk through it. 

A flood watch is in effect for San Luis Obispo County until 11:00 am Tuesday, in Santa Barbara County until 11:00 am Tuesday, and in Ventura County until 1:00 pm Tuesday. Rainfall rates will be between one half inch to one inch per hour.

There is concern of debris flow around the Alisal, Thomas, and Cave fire burn scars. There is also concern around the Ventura River, which is projected to reach flood state late Monday evening. Aside from those areas, take special care of full or overflowing streams, and low-lying flood-prone areas.

In total for the storm, coasts and valleys will receive 2 to 5 inches, whereas mountains will receive 4 to 9 inches. It is possible for some localized totals to reach up to 10 inches or more on south-facing slopes.

A wind warning is in effect until 10:00 pm Monday for the Central Coast, Southwest Coast, SLO and Santa Barbara County valleys, and Santa Ynez Range. It will be in effect until 4:00 pm Tuesday for the Ventura and Santa Barbara County mountains. Sustained winds will be 25 to 45 mph, with gusts upwards of 60 mph at times.

There is also a wind advisory for the Ventura County coast and valleys from noon to 10:00 pm Monday, and on the Southeast Coast until 10:00 pm Monday. Sustained winds will be 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

A high surf advisory is in effect for the Central Coast and Ventura coast until 4:00 pm Tuesday. Breaking waves will be 8 to 12 feet and 4 to 9 feet respectively. There is also a beach hazards statement on the South Coast until 6:00 pm Monday with breaking waves at 3 to 6 feet. With a strong west swell, rip currents are abnormally strong.

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms and hail. After the cold front passes in the afternoon, rain and wind will taper off for an overnight lull. Showers will follow lightly overnight until a second trough moves in early Tuesday.

Rain will be again heavy at times with strong winds through Tuesday morning. There is about a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms Tuesday. The storm will exit quickly in the afternoon.

A weak ridge of high pressure will follow the storm Wednesday. Conditions will dry out, but temperatures will hardly change.

The region will warm by 3 to 6 degrees Thursday as we sit in the west side of the ridge. Clouds will increase through the day.

By Friday, we develop another chance of rain showers with an approaching trough. Rain is likely Saturday, and chances linger into Sunday. This system is expected to be moderate, but not as strong as Monday's storm.