Saturday-Morning Showers Begin Wet Weekend

The first of two Pacific storms expected to hit the region moved into the county early Saturday morning, which sent strong gusty winds across the mountains and deserts and drenched parts of North County, according to the National Weather Service.

By noon, La Jolla Shores had .04 of an inch; Encinitas .09 of an inch; and .22 of an inch was recorded at McClellan-Palomar Airport, according to unofficial rainfall totals. Camp Pendleton got hit harder with .48 of an inch, and Poway reported less than half of that with .23 of an inch, according to the NWS, which reported .3 of an inch in Rancho Bernardo.

Forecasters predicted the showers will spread east across the county and may cause standing water in some areas, which could cause slick road conditions, according to the NWS, who urged drivers to slow down.

The rain is expected to taper off Saturday night. Temperatures in the area will range from the mid 50s to the mid 60s along the coast and further inland, according to the NWS.

Forecasters have also issued a high-wind warning for the mountains and deserts to remain in effect until 10 p.m. Winds are expected to range from 20 to 40 miles per hour with gusts up to 65 miles per hour and isolated gusts of up to 80 miles per hour.

The high winds will make driving high-profile vehicles like trucks and motor homes difficult on mountain and desert roads, especially on Interstate 15 and state Route 395, where blowing sand and dust may reduce visibility to less than a quarter-mile, according to the NWS.

The storm front will also churn up the surf, expected to peak Sunday morning, bringing with it 4 foot to 8 foot surf with sets up to 9 feet and dangerous rip currents, according to the NWS.

Forecasters have issued a high-surf advisory for San Diego beaches that will go into effect 5 a.m. Sunday and run through 5 a.m. Monday.

The rain in the San Diego area is expected to taper off Saturday night and a second weaker storm front will begin to slide into the region late Sunday, expected to bring less rain before it clears out Monday afternoon.

-City News Service