3/9/2020

Good Monday morning, 

As sunrise approaches, so does rain for SLO and northern SB county. 

The rain is just starting up in Lompoc and will spread over the areas in the next few hours.

https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/scripts/animate.php?root=radar_cr&list=VBX_7.png,VBX_6.png,VBX_5.png,VBX_4.png,VBX_3.png,VBX_2.png,VBX_1.png,VBX_0.png

The low pressure system does look quite impressive, but is spinning 600 miles west of point conception.

https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/conus_band.php?sat=G17&band=09&length=12

The first round of rain will be on the lighter side, with 1/4 or less through this morning. This afternoon actually looks to be dry. 

Tonight, rain will become more wide spread and everyone will start to see the wet stuff.

This still is not the strongest part of the storm.

Tuesday morning the low moves 350 miles off shore from point conception. At that point, the Action will begin.

The rotation of the low is going to pump up all the subtropical moisture to the south. You can see it in yellow now south of the low.

https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/conus_band.php?sat=G17&band=09&length=12

Tuesday, into and through Tuesday night is the time period that we will see the most rain.

This is the period that we could see the heaviest rain. Rates at .75 , but if thunder storms form we could see rain in excess of 1 inch per hour.

Wednesday the low is right over us, so expect showers most of the day on and off. Maybe some thunder showers. 

All in all. the results will be 1 to 3 inches coastal. 4 inches in the coastal foot hills of Santa Barbara. 

Thursday, it clears out and the low moves over Arizona.

Friday and Saturday is non eventful, but Sunday in the long range forecast will be the next shot of rain.

We are looking for a closed low to drop from the north. This will be a colder system, and long range models never 100%.

So we will get through this first one and then look into the future. 

Enjoy the wet weather that we have all been hoping for.

I will be back Tuesday morning and bring you up to date on what’s to come.

…..Enjoy....