A winter storm system is blowing quickly through San Diego County but brings with it powerful winds up to 100 mph in the mountains, frost for the inland valleys and big waves along the coast.
The storm will pass by Wednesday afternoon but before then, most of the county can expect some wild weather -- particularly in the form of strong winds and chilly conditions. Here's what to expect:
At the Coast
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Areas along the coast are under a wind advisory from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. with gusts up to 40 miles per hour expected. During that time, winds could blow down tree limbs, power lines and other loose items, the National Weather Service warns.
"The wet soil conditions could heighten the threat for more tree falls," the weather agency added.
Meanwhile, some spotty showers could roll through although they are expected to diminish by nightfall.
Local
Those taking to the water should be cautious of high waves and powerful rip currents, NBC 7 Meteorologist Sheena Parveen said. The highest surf will be in the southern portion of the county. A high surf advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesdays to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
It's possible the high surf conditions and gusty winds could also lead to beach erosion, like recent cliff collapses that have rattled beachgoers.
Inland Areas
Those gusty winds will also affect inland communities, although areas are not under any advisories or warnings. Some scattered showers could also linger throughout the day but the region will dry by nightfall.
By the time the storm system moves out of the region, though, it'll leave behind extremely cold temperatures.
"We finally see things start to dry out today into Wednesday morning," Parveen said. "Wednesday morning is going to be cold."
A frost advisory has been issued for the inland valleys as temperatures drop as low as 30 degrees overnight. The advisory is from midnight to 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Mountains and Deserts
A high wind warning is in effect for the mountains and deserts until 10 p.m. Tuesday.
The mountain have already seen hurricane-force gusts during this storm system.
"Our top wind gust so far was at 10:45 a.m. at Laguna Launch, on the east side of Mount Laguna, at 93mph," said NBC 7's Dagmar Midcap. "Most of the peak gusts remain in the high 70 mph range.and will continue to blow through the evening as peak winds fade nearing the 10 and 11pm hour.
Even the deserts could see winds in the 80s, according Parveen.
The storm system is also dumping some lingering showers and possibly some snow onto the mountains.
"Areas of snow flurries will stick around through about 4-5 a.m. as temps [in the upper elevations] drop into the mid- and upper 20s, with wind chills in the upper teens and low 20s. Brrrrrrr!"
School Closures
Predicted high winds closed schools in the Mountain Empire Unified School District for Tuesday. Schools in the Julian Union Elementary School District had a late start Tuesday, according to the San Diego County Office of Education.
Schools in the Spencer Valley and Warner Unified school district, which had a late start Monday, were under a regular schedule Tuesday.
What's Next?
Temperatures Wednesday morning will be atypically cold. Expect temperatures around 40 degrees along the coast, 34 degrees inland, 39 degrees in the mountains and 36 degrees in the mountains.
After Wednesday, temperatures will be closer to normal for this time of year. Most areas will experience temperatures in the 60s for the rest of the week with a slight chance of rain over the weekend.
