Severe Storm To Soak Oceanside: 'Avoid Travel’

PATCH TOWN, CA — A major winter storm is heading to Oceanside Monday night, bringing heavy rainfall to the coast and snow in elevated areas.

Flash flooding on Tuesday is possible due to excessive rainfall through the day with isolated afternoon thunderstorms. Rainfall rates of 0.50-0.60 inches per hour are expected Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The strong storm system was expected to soak much of Southern California with rain and coat mountaintops with snow Monday and Tuesday. Coastal areas and the valleys could get up to 3 inches of rain during the storm, while mountains and foothills could see up to 5 inches.

Impacts from the powerful winter storm could include travel and commute delays due to slick roads and ponding water.

Hazardous Weather Conditions for Oceanside from the National Weather Service

• Wind Advisory in effect from December 14, 04:00 AM PST until December 15, 12:00 AM PST
• Flood Watch in effect from December 14, 06:00 AM PST until December 14, 09:00 PM PST
• High Surf Advisory in effect from December 14, 04:00 AM PST until December 15, 02:00 PM PST

Here's the Detailed Forecast for Oceanside from the National Weather Service:

Monday Night
Showers, mainly after 10pm. Low around 56. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday
Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 60. Windy, with a south wind 25 to 30 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tuesday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Breezy, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

The City of Oceanside has resources available for residents and businesses to help prepare.

• If your home or business is flood-prone, pick up sandbags now, before it rains. Free sand and sandbags are offered to Oceanside residents at Moody's Recycling at El Corazon, Located at 3210 Oceanside Blvd. Moody's also has free sand and bags, or pre-filled sandbags for $2/each. Video tips on filling and stacking sandbags to divert flow away from your property.
• Learn what steps to take before, during and after a flood.
• Make a family emergency plan
• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit
• Sign up for mobile AlertSD phone alerts, stay tuned to TV or radio weeather updates
• When possible, stay off roads during heavy rain periods
• Never drive through a flooded area, turn around, don't drown.

The County of San Diego and CAL FIRE are offering free sandbags to residents who live in unincorporated areas.

- City News Service and Patch Editor Nicole Charky contributed to this report.