Santa Barbara County is currently experiencing mild and clear conditions along the coast, with average evening temperatures hovering around 62°F. Offshore marine zones are feeling the influence of a strong 1032 mb high-pressure system positioned well off the Pacific Northwest, driving fresh to strong northwesterly winds across outer waters. Coastline locations remain relatively sheltered, though patchy fog and low clouds are expected to develop overnight across the Santa Barbara Channel before clearing late tomorrow morning.
Marine swell conditions in nearby waters remain dominated by steep northwesterly seas. Buoy readings off Harvest and West Santa Barbara indicate primary northwest swells measuring 8 to 9 feet at 8 to 9 seconds, accompanied by northwest winds between 15 and 25 knots. Farther inside the Santa Barbara Channel, swell heights drop significantly to 2 to 4 feet at 9 seconds, providing smoother conditions for nearshore waters near Santa Barbara harbor and Goleta.
Today's tide cycle for Santa Barbara featured an early high tide of 4.3 feet at 12:04 AM, followed by a morning low tide of 1.6 feet at 5:35 AM. A secondary afternoon high tide peaked at 5.5 feet around 11:56 AM, before dropping to a low tide of 0.8 feet at 6:49 PM. Tides will rise late tonight toward a modest high near 3.8 feet around 12:58 AM tomorrow.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Tuesday will bring morning patchy coastal fog giving way to mostly sunny skies with high temperatures reaching the lower 70s. Marine winds will start light out of the north before backing to the northwest at 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Combined seas will gradually subside to 4 to 6 feet with a primary northwest swell period extending to 10 seconds, offering generally calm conditions inside the Channel.