High Tides May Cause Flooding

A cold front that will bring rain to San Diego County today is expected to cause only moderate surf along area beaches where unusually high tides are forecast for the next several days. As a result, National Weather Service meteorologists predict minor tidal flooding in low-lying areas.

A high tide of 7.2 feet will occur at 7:15 a.m. this morning, followed by a high tide of 7.5 feet at 8:01 a.m. Monday and another of 7.6 feet at 8:50 a.m. Tuesday, weather service forecaster Ray Robben said Saturday.

The tides could pose a major threat to coastal property if accompanied by strong surf from a storm system. Such a combination caused major flooding along county beaches from winter storms in the late 1970s.

However, the cold front that will move through the county today is not forecast to bring major problems, Robben said.

The storm will bring winds gusting to 30 m.p.h. and colder air throughout the area today and Monday, with rain lingering through Sunday night. The chance of rain today is 60%, dropping to 20% by Monday morning. High temperatures today will only reach into the high 50s, with lows tonight dropping to the mid-40s to low 50s. Partly cloudy conditions are predicted for Monday and the extended forecast calls for clearing conditions and a warming trend later in the week.

The snow level in county mountains will drop from 6,000 feet early today to 3,500 feet Sunday night and Monday along with the colder temperatures.

The weak storm that moved through the county Friday evening brought a 0.05 inch of rain at Lindbergh Field, raising the seasonal total to 6.65 inches, almost two and one-half inches more than the 4.18 inches normal for this time of the year.