Full Notification

...SEVERE WEATHER THREAT TONIGHT…

NWS forecasters feel confident that significant wind damage and heavy rain will occur tonight along a strong cold front as it moves thru the Santa Barbara area from 10pm-1am. The duration of the event will only be 1-3 hours, but many impacts are anticipated below.

MAIN IMPACTS
• 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.
TIMING
Estimated times of greatest concern and cold front passage
San Luis Obispo County: 9pm-Midnight
Santa Barbara County: 10pm-1am
Ventura County: Midnight-4am
Los Angeles County: 3am-7am

FORECAST CONFIDENCE
High: wind threat and potential flooding, mud and debris flows.
Low: waterspout/tornadoes due to nighttime and isolated nature.

SYNOPSIS
An intense line of very heavy rain, likely accompanied by thunderstorms, will move into southwest California starting this evening in San Luis Obispo County and before sunrise in Los Angeles County. It is highly likely that downdrafts from the storms along the cold front will create damaging south to southwest wind gusts, and very heavy rain will occur. The main threat will be for 1 to 3 hours near the front, with a significant break in the rain following the short-lived severe weather event. Additional showers and isolated thunderstorms will redevelop Friday morning and afternoon as the air mass remains quite unstable throughout the day.

NWS will continue to provide email updates if the forecast changes or check our website at weather.gov/losangeles