A severe thunderstorm warning was issued Monday afternoon as a storm system swept across the county with lightning and bursts of heavy rain.
The storm that prompted the alert was over Lakeside, near El Cajon, at around 1 p.m. and moved southwest at 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service. It had the potential to bring large hail and damaging winds along with thunderstorms and bursts of heavy rain.
Areas that could be impacted include: Chula Vista, El Cajon, National City, La Mesa, Poway, Ramona, Alpine, Mission Valley, Hillcrest, Linda Vista, North Park, Tierrasanta, University City, La Jolla, Valley Center, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Escondido, Santee, Lemon Grove, and Rancho San Diego.
Residents in the area were urged to move indoors, to the lowest floors of their buildings and to stay away from windows. The warning expired at 2:24 p.m.
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The storm brought showers and thunderstorms first to the mountains and deserts before drifting into the inland valleys. It could even reach the beaches.
In North San Diego County, lightning strikes prompted Oceanside lifeguards to pull people out of the water for a time. Two lightning strikes were recorded off the shore near Camp Pendleton. NBC 7 viewer Ryan Grothe shared a photo that appeared to show a bright lightning bolt near Palomar Airport in Carlsbad.
NBC 7 Meteorologist Greg Bledsoe said the wild weather comes from "the same low that’s been parked out over the desert since last week." It's the same system that brought Santa Ana winds and hail.
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The system is expected to move east starting Tuesday and there is a chance for another burst of wild weather in the afternoon before it moves out, Bledsoe said.
Wednesday through Friday is expected to be drier and warmer, Bledsoe said. Another chance for showers is in the forecast for the weekend.
Partly cloudy conditions are expected along the coast this week, with daytime highs in the low 70s. Overnight lows will be in the 50s in most of San Diego County, and in the 40s in Escondido.
No hazardous marine weather is expected through Thursday. Monday's San Diego surf forecast includes a moderate-risk rip current, with surf height from 2 to 4 feet, with a west swell from 280 degrees.
The deserts are expected to be mostly clear and sunny, with highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s throughout the week. Partly cloudy and sunny conditions are expected in the mountains, with a chance of light showers through mid-week and highs in the mid-60s, the NWS said.
Tonight's forecast:
- Coast: Slight chance of thunderstorms, 53 degrees
- Valleys: Slight Chance of thunderstorms, 49 degrees
- Mountains: Slight chance of thunderstorms, 41 degrees
- Deserts: Slight chance of thunderstorms, 53 degrees
