Strong Winds and Even a Little Rain Reach the Region

Backyard barbecues and trips to the beach will be a bit treacherous today—the second of a three-day weekend for many—with strong winds blowing all over San Diego County and even scattered showers falling from the mountains to the coast.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for today until 6 p.m., with winds reaching 15 to 20 mph and gusts up to 40 mph possible. Travelers are advised to be extra careful. Broken tree limbs shaken loose by the wind can bring down power lines and powerful gusts can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.

Strong winds are expected at area beaches all afternoon, with early-morning gusts reaching 29 mph in Cardiff, 18 mph at Torrey Pines, 29 mph in Coronado, 18 mph in Imperial Beach and 21 mph at the Carlsbad Airport. Further inland, gust were recorded this morning in Poway at 15 mph, La Mesa at 18 mph, Rancho Bernardo at 21 mph and the San Miguel SDG&E substation at 22 mph.

Patchy showers are possible for the afternoon but skies are expected to clear following this morning’s light rainfall. Most areas of the county had a just-barely-measurable amount of rain, with .01 of an inch in Cardiff, .04 in Santee, .12 in La Mesa, .11 in Poway, .07 in Rancho Bernardo and .32 on Mount Woodson.

The forecast for Monday is looking much better, with the winds expected to die down and sunny skies and warm temperatures returning in time for those headed to the many Memorial Day events honoring veterans past and present.