Windy conditions and rain are expected for areas in Santa Barbara County this weekend and early next week, according to the National Weather Service.
A wind advisory has been issued on Saturday that will be in effect until 4 a.m. on Sunday for the south coast of the province and the mountain areas.
The advice called for northwest to north winds of 15-30 mph with gusts of up to 45 mph.
According to the weather service, the winds are likely to affect the communities of Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, San Marcos Pass, and the San Rafael and Dick Smith wilderness areas.
The strongest winds are expected across the foothills, including Montecito, and between the coast of Gaviota and the Refugio area.
Traveling on roads in the area can be affected by wind gusts, including Highway 101, Highway 154 and Highway 192, as well as the Gaviota and San Marcos passes, the NWS adviser said.
The weather service warned that gusty winds could move unsecured objects and predicted driving would be difficult, especially for a high-profile vehicle.
“Be extra careful while driving, especially if you are driving a high-profile vehicle,” said the advisor. “Secure outdoor objects.”
Rain is expected in most of Santa Barbara County from Sunday evening through late Monday, according to the NWS.
Forecasters called for a 50% chance of rain after midnight on Sunday, and a 40% chance of rain on Monday morning, with conditions turning partly cloudy on the south coast in the afternoon.
Additionally, gusts of wind up to 25 mph are forecast on Monday.
Rain is expected to fall between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Sundays in the North County areas, including Santa Maria and Lompoc. Forecasters kept the chance of rain at 60% on Sunday evening and 30% chance of rain on Monday before 10 a.m.
Total rainfall from Sunday night through Monday evening is expected to vary between a tenth to a quarter of an inch in the region, with greater amounts likely in mountain regions, the NWS said in a forecast discussion Saturday afternoon.
Snow levels of 5,000 to 5,500 feet were forecast for Sunday evening, dropping between 4,000 and 4,500 feet Monday morning.
Snow levels can drop to around or below 3,000 to 3,500 feet on Monday afternoon and are expected to drop further between 2,500 and 3,000 feet by Monday evening.
Up to 10 inches of snow is possible, with most snow accumulation above about 4,500 feet, according to the NWS.
For much of the region, high temperatures in the mid-50s to low 60s are expected over the weekend, with nighttime lows in the mid-1940s to about 50 degrees.
Sunny skies are expected in most of the province on Tuesday.
Click here for the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
– Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at . (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk @BuienRadarNL and @BuienRadarNLConnect with Noozhawk on Facebook.