Incoming Storm Expected To Bring Cold, Rain and Wind To San Diego Area

SAN DIEGO — Yet another winter storm is expected to strike the San Diego area beginning later this evening, and like all the other recent storms, this one will bring wind and cold along with more rain and snow to an already saturated California.

Showers will enter San Diego County by late morning/early afternoon Wednesday with a slight chance of thunderstorms, late Wednesday into Thursday, National Weather Service forecasters said Tuesday, March 28.

And while the incoming storm is expected to be "significant," rainfall totals should be less than the previous storms with NWS predicting anywhere from a half an inch of rain for downtown San Diego to near an inch for North County locations such as Carlsbad and Escondido.

"It's been a very wet year so far, much wetter than the 30-year average," NWS Meteorologist Alex Tardy said, adding that urban flooding is possible, especially in poorly drained areas.

Winds are expected to be highest on Wednesday with gusts in the San Diego area expected to in the 22-25 mph range, according to Accuweather.

Winds should begin to increase this afternoon across the mountains and desert slopes, remaining gusty overnight and on Wednesday, a bulletin issued by the NWS said.

A winter storm warning has been issued for San Diego County Mountains from late Wednesday night through Thursday and snow is expected to begin falling at higher elevations tonight lasting through Thursday afternoon, NWS said, adding that snow levels will start to drop through Wednesday afternoon, lowering near 3,500-4,000 feet Wednesday night through Thursday.

Snowfall of 6-10 inches is possible in the mountains above 5,000 feet with 12-18 inches possible on higher peaks above 7,500 feet. Elevations from 4,000 to 4,500 feet can expect to see a few inches, the NWS bulletin said.

"Travel with caution and allow extra time to reach your destination," NWS said.