A winter storm pushed its way into San Diego County overnight, bringing gusty winds and spotty downpours that were expected to last throughout the day Saturday.
NBC 7's First Alert Radar showed a storm front making its way from Los Angeles County into San Diego County Friday evening. The first effects of the storm entered the county at about 9 p.m.
Off-and-on rain soaked Oceanside and northern Carlsbad and moved into other parts of North County, bringing heavy rainfall overnight that left the ground saturated.
By Saturday morning, showers were scattered but widespread. Cities from San Marcos to Santee and Poway to Central San Diego were hit with brief downpours throughout the morning.
In Little Italy, the weekly Mercato carried on as usual but customers were met with light showers. Some sunshine peeked through the clouds as shoppers browsed the fair's artisan goods.
It raining in Oceanside and other parts of North County. Is it wet where you are? Let us know! https://t.co/4dFCv0Ritn pic.twitter.com/yhlI3Ofbzg
— #NBC7 San Diego (@nbcsandiego) March 3, 2018
In the afternoon, downpours will be less frequent but still likely, according to NBC 7 weathercaster Liberty Zabala.
Then, a second round of showers will then move inland in the late afternoon and into Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service said Saturday that clouds would be abundant in San Diego County throughout the day, accompanied by scattered showers and cool temperatures. At around 9 a.m., temperatures across the county – north to south and east to west – ranged between 48 and 57 degrees.
The storm system wasn't expected to bring inches of rain to San Diego County but would saturate the ground and give the region some much-needed moisture.
The region is expected to see rain totals ranging from .25" - .50" along San Diego's coast and in the valleys. About twice that could fall in our mountains.
Local
Snow levels will rise to near 6,000 to 6,500 feet on Friday then fall to around 4,500 feet overnight, the NWS said. On Saturday, snowfall could occur between 5,000 and 5,500-foot elevations.
Anyone driving through the mountain areas of San Diego and Riverside counties this weekend should be prepared for slippery road conditions and reduced visibilities.
A winter storm warning was in effect Friday for the San Bernardino Mountains.
The storm system is expected to move quickly through the county. By Sunday, sunshine will return to San Diego.
