Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Western Santa Barbara County Through Monday Morning
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for western Santa Barbara County, citing 60 mph wind gusts, penny-sized hail, and the potential for a brief tornado.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard CA has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for western Santa Barbara County in southwestern California. This alert is effective immediately following radar indications of severe weather in the region.
Affected Areas
The warning covers western Santa Barbara County. Impacted locations include:
- Santa Maria and Lompoc
- Santa Ynez, Solvang, and Buellton
- Vandenberg Space Force Base and Vandenberg Village
- Orcutt, Los Alamos, and Sisquoc
- Isla Vista, Goleta, and Guadalupe
- Santa Barbara Airport and Lake Cachuma
- Mission Hills, El Capitan State Beach, and Refugio State Beach
- Highway 101 through Gaviota State Park
What You Should Do
Residents in the warning area are advised to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building for protection. Remain alert for the possibility of a tornado, as they can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If a tornado is spotted, move immediately to a basement or a small central room. Additionally, torrential rainfall is occurring; motorists should never drive through flooded roadways.
Expected Conditions
- Wind: Gusts up to 60 mph are expected, which may cause damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
- Hail: Penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) has been indicated by radar.
- Tornado Threat: A brief, weak tornado is possible.
- Movement: As of 8:05 AM PST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 9 miles west of Orcutt to near Point Conception, moving east at 40 mph.
Timeline
The Severe Thunderstorm Warning is effective from 8:06 AM PST on February 16, 2026, and is currently scheduled to expire at 9:30 AM PST.
Source: NOAA Official Notice