Dramatically cooler weather moved across San Diego County on Thursday, with a pair of storm systems bringing “sharply” colder temperatures, rain and mountain snow.
The first traces of the storm came in the form of sprinkles in the northwest corner of our county. By 11 p.m., Meteorologist Dagmar Midcap said light rain was falling in Oceanside but the brunt of the storm's first wave was near Catalina Island.
Winds up to 20 mph were blowing north through county's coast and inland valleys, and the gusts picked up speed, up to 25 mph, in our mountains
A winter storm was downgraded Thursday evening to a winter weather advisory that will remain in effect until 2 a.m. Sunday. A high surf advisory is in place until Sunday afternoon.
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According to the weather service, the second round of precipitation will hit Friday night into Sunday.
“Snowy and windy conditions with significant reductions in visibility are possible, especially during the morning commute on Friday,” according to the NWS.
Snow total chances are as followed:
- Elevations above 6,000 ft – 10 to 14 inches
- Elevations above 5,000 ft – 5 to 10 inches
- Elevations above 4,000 ft – 1 to 5 inches
A wind advisory will also be in effect for the mountains and desert areas, from noon Thursday until noon Saturday. Gusts of up to 70 mph are possible in some areas.
Local
“The weather will turn sharply colder Friday through Sunday as a series of shortwaves in cold northwest flow brings rain, wind and mountain snow,” according to the NWS.
Weather Service officials said the San Diego County mountains will likely receive the most precipitation during the first wave of the storm, with 1-1.75 inches of rain possible, while coastal and valley areas could get between a quarter-inch to an inch of rain. Desert areas will see 0.1 to 0.25 inches.
“Shortly after midnight, we could have some showers and thunderstorms move through,” NBC 7 Meteorologist Sheena Parveen said. “Expect some showers around tomorrow.”
As a result of the incoming storm, Father Joe‘s Villages and the San Diego Rescue Mission will open their Inclement Weather Shelter Program on Thursday. Up to 45 adults can be sheltered at Father Joe‘s Villages. Ten beds for families with children or single women will also be available at this location.
Meanwhile, the San Diego Rescue Mission said it can take in 10 individuals.
As the second front moves into the region Saturday, more rain will fall in mountain areas, along with another quarter-inch possible in valley areas. The snow level, meanwhile, will drop to about 3,500 feet, with “several more inches” of snow likely.
“The entire weekend is going to be a lot cooler,” Parveen said.
