Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Santa Barbara County; 70 MPH Winds and Possible Tornado Forecast

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard CA has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for west central Santa Barbara County in southwestern California. This alert is effective immediately following radar-indicated severe weather detected in the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad portion of west central Santa Barbara County. Specific locations impacted include:

• Cities and Communities: Santa Barbara, Montecito, Santa Ynez, Carpinteria, Solvang, Summerland, Isla Vista, Goleta, Buellton, Mission Canyon, and Hope Ranch.
• Parks and Landmarks: El Capitan State Beach, Refugio State Beach, Gaviota State Park, Old Man Mountain, and Lake Cachuma.
• Transportation Hubs: Santa Barbara Airport, Highway 101 through Gaviota State Park, and Highway 154 over San Marcos Pass.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area should take immediate precautions for their safety:

• Seek Shelter: Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
• Tornado Safety: Remain alert for a possible tornado, as they can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado, go at once to a basement or a small central room.
• Avoid Hazards: Stay away from windows and avoid mobile homes or outbuildings which are susceptible to damage from high winds.

Expected Conditions

At 9:22 PM PST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Santa Ynez to near Point Conception, moving east at 35 mph.

• Wind: Gusts up to 70 mph are expected, which may cause considerable tree damage and damage to roofs and mobile homes.
• Tornado Threat: A brief weak tornado is possible.
• Hail: Radar indicates the potential for hail up to .75 inches.

Timeline

The Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 11:00 PM PST on February 17, 2026. Residents should monitor local conditions until the expiration time.