Erratic storm

Santa Barbara County experiences rain, wind, thunder, hail, sunshine and calm weather

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER

WRITER

Santa Barbara County was deluged with rain on Monday night and into the morning with spurts of rain Tuesday afternoon.

Dramatic winds in Santa Barbara on Tuesday morning brought three large trees down — one across the southbound onramp to Highway 101 at Carrillo Street in Santa Barbara, the other across Loma Vista Avenue in the same city and the third across all lanes of State Route 192 in Carpinteria.

As the day approached noon, patches of blue sky and sunshine appeared in Santa Barbara, then the weather became quiet and settled into a gray gloom until a 15-minute downpour in the middle of the afternoon. Then the weather was calm again.

For a few hours.

As evening approached, a quick downpour of hail suddenly slammed Santa Barbara. The noisy weather was followed by something even more dramatic: thunder and lightning.

Then as quick as it began, that show was over. Sunlight sneaked through the gray clouds on a day marked by an erratic storm.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, rainfall totals were Lompoc: 0.66 inch; New Cuyama: 0.12 inch; Goleta: 0.86 inch; Santa Maria: 0.25; Santa Ynez: 0.2 inch. That’s according to the National Weather

Service.

Moderate to heavy rain, thunderstorms and mountain snow are expected to continue through today, as a strong storm moves across the region. Strong winds, capable of causing potential damage, are possible as well.

Dry and cool conditions are expected Thursday through Monday, according to the weather service.

On Tuesday, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department increased staffing including extra water rescue personnel and heavy equipment.

“Wind coupled with soil saturation have increased 9-1-1 calls for trees/down power lines,” said Capt. Scott Safechuck, the department’s public information officer in a tweet. “Always assume that down power lines are energized and can energize the adjacent area when the ground is wet. Look up, look down, and look around. Use caution, stay clear, and call 9-1-1.”

Capt. Safechuck said the fire department recommends the following safety tips: Drive safely, insure tires have good tread, and stay away from creeks, rivers and embankments.

“We haven’t had too many road closures today due to the storm,” Alexa Bertola, public information officer for Caltrans District 5, told the News-Press in an email.

“This morning, there was a on A4