Heavy rain and lightning storms met San Diego County Friday morning before lighting up to cloudy skies, but moody weather isn't over yet; expect more showers this weekend, according to forecasters.
The weather changes are due to a pair of low-pressure systems tracking over Southern California, generating a mixed bag of rain, wind and snow set to last sporadically through Sunday morning.
The first storm system moved in early Friday to bring heavy downpours that caused flooding in some areas like Quarry Road in Springs Valley and on lanes of Interstate 5 near the State Route 15 north exit toward Riverside.
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Scattered showers were expected to continue Friday west of the mountains before the first storm system moves out of the region.
The San Diego metropolitan area likely received a quarter- to a half-inch of precipitation Thursday night and Friday morning, with a tenth to a quarter-inch possible Friday afternoon and evening, meteorologists said. Another tenth of an inch is in the forecast for Saturday.
Encinitas recorded .83 inches of rain as of 2:30 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. Sylvan Meadows recorded .51 inches of rain and El Camino Del Norte recorded .42 inches of rain.
A winter weather advisory warning of snow accumulations that could create dangerous driving conditions for mountains ranges with elevations above 4,500 feet was in effect until 2 a.m. Sunday.
San Diego News
"Snow accumulations of 8 to 14 inches above 7,500 feet, 6 to 8 inches from 6,500 feet to 7,500 feet, 4 to 6 inches from 5,500 to 6,500 feet, and 2 to 4 inches from 4,000 to 5,500 feet are expected," the NWS stated.
Winds are likely to average 25 to 35 mph as the front scoots east, with gusts as high as 60 mph in some locations, mostly mountains and passes, though the Coachella Valley will be impacted as well, forecasters said.
The next trough of low pressure will dive south from the Pacific Northwest Saturday, further lowering snow levels to 3,500 feet, according to the Weather Service.
"The inside track of this (second) storm will greatly limit valley precipitation amounts, but snowfall could still be very impactful over the mountains," the NWS said.
High temperatures in the San Diego metro area Friday are expected to hover in the near 60, with lows in the low 50s.
A warming trend will begin Monday and last through the week, along with generally dry conditions, according to the NWS.
