Santa Barbara County is bracing for a wet and stormy New Year’s Eve and Day as the National Weather Service (NWS) predicted more rain this week.
Weather conditions on December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, across the county are likely to be stormy and windy, according to the weather office.
Temperatures are expected to dip to the mid-50s, and east winds will blow ranging from 15 to 25 mph on December 31, according to the NWS forecast.
Rain is predicted on New Year’s Day during the morning and afternoon, with southeast winds of around 15 mph. Temperatures are expected to fall to the lower 50s at night, with a 50% chance of rain, NWS said.
Rain is expected to persist through next week, with temperatures expected to range between the mid-40s and around 50 degrees until Monday.
In addition to Santa Barbara, counties of San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Los Angeles are also expected to receive rainfall through January 3, 2026, according to a post shared on X by NWS Los Angeles.
The peak timing of storms is likely to be on Wednesday night, Thursday, Friday night, and Saturday, the weather service said. Peak wind gusts are expected to be between 30 and 50 mph.
While the peak rainfall rate is expected to be 0.25 to 0.5 inch per hour, total rainfall is projected to be around 1 to 3 inches, with 3 to 5 inches in mountains and foothills.
The counties are at enhanced risk of rockslides and mudslides, NWS said. The weather office advised the public to avoid canyon roads, hillsides, and mountain travel.
Since there is a moderate risk of road flooding, NWS alerted the public not to cross flooded roadways, adjust travel plans, and pack extra supplies.
There are risks of strong flows in waterways and increased chances of downed trees and steep seas, NWS warned. It is advisable to stay away from rivers and creeks, park cars away from tall trees, and secure boats in safe harbor.
Holiday Storms Swept Through California
Powerful winter storms lashed through California during the Christmas holiday week, with many locations in Southern California recording the wettest period in several years. The rains led to downtown Los Angeles witnessing its wettest Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to a social media post by NWS.
An atmospheric river brought heavy rain to the Central coast. The record rainfall resulted in the temporary closure of the Santa Barbara Airport on Christmas Day after the airfield was flooded.
The recent holiday storm has also caused Cachuma Lake to spill after it reached its full capacity on December 28, 2025.
Also Read
- Southern California Braces for Powerful Santa Ana Winds This Weekend With Gusts Up to 65 Mph
- Weather West: Following Whiplash Transition From Record Warmth to Heavy Mountain Snowfall, yet Another Swing Back Toward Warmth
- High Surf and Wind Advisories Remain in Effect for Santa Barbara County
- Fallen Tree Shut Down Highway 101 in Goleta on Monday Morning
- Rainy and Stormy Weather on the Way This Week for Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties
Typical Santa Barbara rainfall.
What parts of “wettest period in several years” and “record rainfall” didn’t you understand?
RUBY – why are you so predictable whenever there is a weather article? Are you afraid of too much information?
I’m afraid weathermen have gone to instilling fear rather than reporting facts. This whole report says typical Santa Barbara rain. Is he saying we are going to get an all time record? Are we expecting over 17 inches in 24 hours? Or over 45 inches in the year?
The TV said one inch!
I think they were talking about 1″ / Hr, which could be a problem? 😱
“Peak rain rates could produce one inch of rain within an hour. Current predictions see rain lasting all the way through Thursday of next week, January 8.”
https://www.edhat.com/news/flood-watch-and-wind-advisory-issued-ahead-of-central-coast-storm/
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You should try Trump’s “a tiger, an elephant, a giraffe” test (not the actual answers–he’s 0 for 3) and let us know how you did.
I see – if it hasn’t rained like this on this particular date for the past several years it’s a “record” regardless of many days of heavier rain, but not on this date. I myself witnessed water running downhill and pooling in low spots, heaven help us!
Your comment gives a strong indication of how you would score on the test.
RUBY – you should read the article. Start there. If you don’t understand what it’s saying, that’s on you.
Turned out typical Santa Barbara rainfall, as I predicted.
No one said it wasn’t typicall. You must be confused .