San Diego County was bracing for the brunt of a storm system that's expected to bring significant rain and possible flooding to San Diego County ahead of Christmas.
The storm system started light, with just a few scattered showers expected to touch down across San Diego County on Tuesday and Wednesday. By late Thursday, the heaviest showers are expected to reach the region, NBC 7 Meteorologist Sheena Parveen said.
"Later on this week is when we're going to see quite a bit of rain," Parveen said "Mostly cloudy skies continue through the end of the week and the rain chances are going to be the highest Thursday and Friday. That's also when we're going to have the better chance for some thunderstorms."
Get San Diego local news, weather forecasts, sports and lifestyle stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC San Diego newsletters.
A flood watch was issued from Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon, when the most significant rain was expected.
Track the storm
The timing of the storm is fluid but was likely to drench the county while most San Diegans are sleeping. Some showers could start as early as 3 p.m. Thursday but the brunt of the storm was on track to reach the region by 9 or 10 p.m., NBC 7's meteorologists said.
Local
Some San Diegans may sleep through the heaviest downpours, but there could be some lingering showers through 10 a.m. Monday. Overnight is the best chance for thunderstorms and flash flooding, too, Parveen said.
By the time the storms are through, San Diego may get anywhere from one to two inches of rain in some parts of the county, particularly along the coast where thunderstorms are forecasted, Parveen said.
Flooding
The city of San Diego was bracing for flooding with early preparations.
The stormwater department started blocking off parking in flood-risk areas and cleared storm drains that often build with debris.
The city urged residents to make their own preparations by clearing trash and debris around their storm drains, ensure trash cans are 2-3 feet away from the curb and to turn off irrigation amid the storm. Residents were also urged to use sandbags if necessary.
Sandbags without sand could be obtained with a limit of 10 per resident or business at the following city of San Diego locations Monday through Friday from 1 to 7 p.m.:
Council District 1 - Pacific Beach Recreation Center, 1405 Diamond St.
Council District 2 (inland) - North Clairemont Recreation Center, 4421 Bannock Ave.
Council District 2 (coastal) - Robb Field Athletic Area, 2525 Bacon St.
Council District 3 - Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive.
Council District 4 - Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 6401 Skyline Drive.
Council District 5 - Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress Drive.
Council District 6 - Standley Recreation Center, 3585 Governor Drive.
Council District 7 - Allied Gardens Recreation Center, 5155 Greenbrier Ave.
Council District 8 - San Ysidro Community Activity Center, 179 Diza Road.
Council District 8 - Southcrest Recreation Center, 4149 Newton Ave.
Council District 9 -City Heights Recreation Center, 4380 Landis St.
Snow in mountains
The storm system is not expected to bring any snow, at least to San Diego County; some mountain ranges to our north may experience some droppings at the highest elevations, Parveen said. Winds will also not likely be an issue.
By the weekend, skies will clear with just a lingering chance of showers early Sunday. There is more light rain in the forecast next week, though.
