Weekend Storm May Be Largest of the Season

Heavy rain, gusty winds and mountain snow are in store for San Diego County this weekend due to a late-season Pacific storm expected to arrive Saturday morning.

Rainfall totals will range from one to two inches near the coast and from three to five inches in the mountains, according to National Weather Service forecasters. Up to a half-inch of rain is expected in the deserts.

There is also a chance of thunderstorms with small hail late Saturday afternoon and evening, according to the NWS.

The storm is expected to drop six to 12 inches of snow above 4,000 feet, with greater amounts possible at higher elevations. The heaviest snow showers
will occur during the afternoon and evening hours, with the snow level possibly
lowering to between 2,500 and 3,000 feet Saturday night, according to the NWS.

A winter storm warning is scheduled from 11 a.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday for mountain areas above 4,000 feet, including Cuyamaca, Julian and Mount Laguna.

The storm is expected to bring 25 to 35 mile-per-hour mountain and desert winds, with gusts of up to 65 mph near ridge tops and along desert mountain slopes. Isolated gusts up to 75 miles per hour are also possible, forecasters said.

A high-wind warning for the mountains and deserts is scheduled from 8 a.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday. A less severe wind advisory will be in effect in coastal and valley areas from 11 a.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday, when 40-mph
gusts are expected.

Gusty winds could make driving difficult throughout the county, especially for motorists with high-profile vehicles. The Weather Service advised motorists to watch out for broken tree limbs and downed power lines.

High surf with sets of up to five feet are expected this weekend, when the risk of rip currents will be high, according to the NWS, and waterspouts are possible near the coast.

A gale watch for boaters is scheduled from Saturday morning through late Sunday night. By Saturday afternoon, according to the NWS, there will be strong west winds of up to 30 knots, with frequent gusts to 40 knots.

“The strong winds will also generate steep short-period wind waves that will cause very hazardous boating conditions,” according to an NWS advisory.

The National Weather Service forecast for Poway:

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west.

Friday night: Rain likely, mainly after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 52. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday: Rain. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 56. South wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 47. West wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Sunday: Showers. High near 54. West wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Sunday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.

Monday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.

-City News Service