Santa Maria, CA — The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northern Santa Barbara County, in effect until 8:45 PM PDT.

What is happening: As of 7:43 PM PDT, a line of severe thunderstorms stretched from 6 miles southwest of Nipomo to 7 miles southeast of Point Conception, moving northeast at 15 miles per hour. The warning covers Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, Solvang, Orcutt, Los Alamos, Guadalupe, Buellton, Sisquoc, Mission Hills, Vandenberg Village, Vandenberg Space Force Base, El Capitan State Beach, Refugio State Beach, and Highway 101 through Gaviota State Park.

Local impacts: Radar shows 60 mph wind gusts with this storm line, capable of damaging roofs, siding, and trees. Torrential rainfall is also falling with these storms and may cause flash flooding.

What to do:

- Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.

- Remain alert for a possible tornado — tornadoes can spin up quickly from storms like these. If you spot one, go at once into a basement or small central room.

- Do not drive through flooded roadways — turn around, don't drown.

Source: National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard, CA. Issued October 21, 2026.