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
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
Issued
Alert
Area
Nov 14, 7:02 AM EST
Coastal Flood Warning
San 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.
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).