Storm Expected to Bring Heavy Rain to County

A vigorous storm will bring heavy rain, strong winds, rough seas and a chance of flooding to San Diego today, the National Weather Service said.

The high temperature at Lindbergh Field plunged nearly 20 degrees Thursday as the storm started to roll in. A high of 67 degrees was recorded, compared to Wednesday’s record-breaking high of 85.

The storm is expected to clear out by late tonight, but not before dumping an estimated one to three inches of rain, forecaster Wilbur Shigehara said.

“This is a slow-moving storm that we expect to dump a lot of rain,” Shigehara said. “How much rain? Right around one inch at the coast, and as you head east it will gradually increase, with up to three inches expected in the mountains.”

A traveler’s advisory has been issued for the mountains, with winds expected up to 35 m.p.h. at the height of the storm, he said. Gusty winds of 15 to 30 m.p.h. are expected in other areas of the county.

The strong winds and rough seas have brought a small craft advisory, in effect through tonight, according to Shigehara.

“The storm is coming in from north of Hawaii, not the Gulf of Alaska like the last one,” he said. “That means it isn’t as cold as other storms, but it will kick up our surf and bring us some pretty rough seas.”

Surf will be three to six feet with occasional sets of eight-foot waves on west-facing beaches.

Motorists are advised that traffic and flooding problems are likely, since the heaviest rain is expected during the morning commuter time.

“We are telling people to be aware that this is a heavy rain that is expected and to allow extra travel time, as well as exercise caution while driving,” Shigehara said.

The weekend will be dry, Shigehara said, although temperatures will remain mild and skies partly cloudy as remnants of the storm head east.

Coastal and inland valleys will have highs between 61 to 66 today, with highs Saturday and Sunday ranging from 63 to 68 along the coast and between 66 and 72 inland. Coastal lows will be in the mid-50s through the weekend, with inland lows in the upper 40s.

Mountains will have highs in the 44- to 52-degree range today and between 48 and 56 Saturday and Sunday. Overnight lows will be in the mid-30s all three days. Deserts will have highs near 80 today through Sunday, with lows between 45 and 53.