Weather Alerts Map

Santa Barbara County weather alerts

2 warnings, 1 watch and 1 advisory are in effect for Santa Barbara County, CA. The most serious is a coastal flood warning.

Since 2016 the National Weather Service has issued about 1,853 alerts that included Santa Barbara County, roughly 185 a year. The most common is the wind advisory (692 from 2016 to 2025). The last tornado warning was issued on February 17, 2026. 7 tornadoes have touched down in the county since 1950.

Updated from the National Weather Service · lists refresh hourly; the live map loads current alerts directly from the NWS

Active alerts for Santa Barbara County

Coastal Flood Warning

San Luis Obispo County Beaches; Santa Barbara County Central Coast BeachesUntil · NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

COASTAL FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS EVENING... ...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM PST SUNDAY

Full alert text
* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 10
to 15 feet with dangerous rip currents. For the High Surf
Warning, dangerously large breaking waves of 18 to 25 feet
with dangerous rip currents. For the Coastal Flood Warning,
moderate to significant coastal flooding expected.

* WHERE...San Luis Obispo County Beaches and Santa Barbara
County Central Coast Beaches. Surf will we highest for west-
northwest facing beaches.

* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, until 9 PM PST Friday. For
the High Surf Warning, from 9 PM Friday to 3 AM PST Sunday.
For the Coastal Flood Warning, from 3 AM to 6 PM PST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...There is a high risk for flooding of sea water over
vulnerable low-lying coastal areas, especially around the time
of high tide. This includes significant flooding of coastal
beaches, walkways and roads, and potentially damaging some
structures. Significant beach erosion is expected. Powerful
waves and strong rip currents will pose an exceptional risk of
ocean drowning and damage to coastal structures like piers and
jetties. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people
off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore.
Remain far away from the water's edge.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A series of west-northwesterly swells
will create an extended period of large surf into next week,
with the potential for WARNING level surf again late Sunday
night through Monday. Areas that may see most significant
impacts will be west- northwest facing beaches, with
widespread flooding likely at low lying areas such as at
Oceano Dunes. Breaking waves may impact the Cayucos and Pismo
Beach piers as well as the Morro Bay Harbor entrance.

What to do: Stay off of beaches and coastal walkways, roads, and structures. Do NOT drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Everyone should remain out of the water due to life-threatening surf conditions. Stay off of jetties, piers, and other water side infrastructure.

High Surf Warning

San Luis Obispo County Beaches; Santa Barbara County Central Coast BeachesUntil · NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

COASTAL FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS EVENING... ...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM PST SUNDAY

Full alert text
* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 10
to 15 feet with dangerous rip currents. For the High Surf
Warning, dangerously large breaking waves of 18 to 25 feet
with dangerous rip currents. For the Coastal Flood Warning,
moderate to significant coastal flooding expected.

* WHERE...San Luis Obispo County Beaches and Santa Barbara
County Central Coast Beaches. Surf will we highest for west-
northwest facing beaches.

* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, until 9 PM PST Friday. For
the High Surf Warning, from 9 PM Friday to 3 AM PST Sunday.
For the Coastal Flood Warning, from 3 AM to 6 PM PST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...There is a high risk for flooding of sea water over
vulnerable low-lying coastal areas, especially around the time
of high tide. This includes significant flooding of coastal
beaches, walkways and roads, and potentially damaging some
structures. Significant beach erosion is expected. Powerful
waves and strong rip currents will pose an exceptional risk of
ocean drowning and damage to coastal structures like piers and
jetties. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people
off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore.
Remain far away from the water's edge.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A series of west-northwesterly swells
will create an extended period of large surf into next week,
with the potential for WARNING level surf again late Sunday
night through Monday. Areas that may see most significant
impacts will be west- northwest facing beaches, with
widespread flooding likely at low lying areas such as at
Oceano Dunes. Breaking waves may impact the Cayucos and Pismo
Beach piers as well as the Morro Bay Harbor entrance.

What to do: Stay off of beaches and coastal walkways, roads, and structures. Do NOT drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Everyone should remain out of the water due to life-threatening surf conditions. Stay off of jetties, piers, and other water side infrastructure.

High Surf Advisory

Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast; Santa Barbara County Southeastern CoastUntil · NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SUNDAY

Full alert text
* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet with dangerous rip
currents.

* WHERE...Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast and Santa
Barbara County Southeastern Coast. Surf will we highest for
west- northwest facing beaches.

* WHEN...Until 4 AM PST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...There is an increased risk for ocean drowning. Rip
currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large
breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and
rocks, and capsize small boats near shore.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A series of significant west- northwesterly
swells are expected to produce elevated surf into next week with
highest surf and greatest impacts likely peaking today and
potentially again Monday. Minor tidal overflows are possible in
areas with largest surf, especially during high tide.

What to do: Remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.

Coastal Flood Watch

San Luis Obispo County Beaches; Santa Barbara County Central Coast BeachesUntil · NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

HIGH SURF ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PST FRIDAY... ...HIGH SURF WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM FRIDAY TO 3 AM PST SUNDAY... ...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM PST SATURDAY

Full alert text
The Coastal Flood Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA on this developing situation.

What to do: Stay off of beaches and coastal walkways, roads, and structures. Do NOT drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Everyone should remain out of the water due to life-threatening surf conditions. Stay off of jetties, piers, and other water side infrastructure.

Map data: NWS, OpenFreeMap, OpenStreetMap

Recent alerts in Santa Barbara County

IssuedAlertArea
Nov 14, 7:02 AM ESTCoastal Flood WarningSan Luis Obispo County Beaches; Santa Barbara County Central Coast Beaches

Santa Barbara County alert history

Alert events that included Santa Barbara County or its forecast zones, from the NWS warning archive.

Alert type2016–20252026Last issued
Wind Advisory69249November 6, 2026
Flood Advisory22227November 13, 2026
Dense Fog Advisory2146October 8, 2026
Frost Advisory892February 21, 2026
High Wind Warning776May 16, 2026
Flash Flood Warning656October 22, 2026
Heat Advisory6515October 15, 2026
Flood Watch513October 21, 2026
High Wind Watch463March 5, 2026
Red Flag Warning433October 15, 2026
Fire Weather Watch412October 16, 2026
Winter Weather Advisory402April 12, 2026
Freeze Warning320January 28, 2025
Coastal Flood Advisory276November 6, 2026
Extreme Heat Watch274October 2, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning246October 2, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning234October 22, 2026
Freeze Watch210November 19, 2024
Winter Storm Watch201February 16, 2026
Winter Storm Warning191February 16, 2026
Tornado Warning61February 17, 2026
Flood Warning60December 25, 2025
Blizzard Warning10February 24, 2023
Coastal Flood Warning11November 14, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Watch10October 14, 2025

Tornado history in Santa Barbara County

7 tornadoes have been recorded in Santa Barbara County since 1950, injuring 3 people. That ranks 21 of 58 counties in California. The most recent was on March 21, 2023 (rated EF0).

EF0: 6EF06EF1: 1EF11EF2: 0EF2EF3: 0EF3EF4: 0EF4EF5: 0EF5
Tornadoes by (E)F rating

Strongest tornadoes in Santa Barbara County

DateRatingCountyPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
January 3, 1977F1Santa Barbara County0.1 mi10 yd00
March 21, 2023EF0Santa Barbara County0.2 mi25 yd01
January 19, 2010EF0Santa Barbara County0.1 mi10 yd00
December 29, 1991F0Santa Barbara County0.1 mi10 yd02
March 24, 1994F0Santa Barbara County0.1 mi10 yd00

Most recent tornadoes

DateRatingCountyPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
March 21, 2023EF0Santa Barbara County0.2 mi25 yd01
January 19, 2010EF0Santa Barbara County0.1 mi10 yd00
March 29, 2006F0Santa Barbara County0 mi4 yd00
November 29, 2001F0Santa Barbara County0.1 mi2 yd00
March 24, 1994F0Santa Barbara County0.1 mi10 yd00

California tornado history and map →

About Santa Barbara County

Neighboring counties