SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Sunny skies are expected Tuesday throughout San Diego County before a major storm system arrives Wednesday and drops moderate to heavy amounts of rain and snow through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency has issued a flash flood warning that will be in effect from Wednesday morning through Thursday evening in coastal areas and the inland valleys
Rainfall totals through Friday could reach 3 inches in the San Diego County mountains, 2 to 2.5 inches in the inland valleys, 1.5 to 2 inches in coastal areas and less than two-thirds of an inch in the deserts, NWS meteorologist Miguel Miller said.
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The bulk of the rain is expected to start falling Wednesday evening, but showers will be consistent in some areas on Thursday as well, Miller said.
A winter storm warning will be in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday to 10 p.m. Friday in the mountains above 3,000 feet.
``If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of emergency,'' NWS officials warned.
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Snow levels will remain above 5,000 feet through Wednesday night, then drop to about 3,500 feet by Thursday night, Miller said.
Mount Laguna, Palomar Mountain and Cuyamaca Mountain could get up to 12 inches of snow at their highest peaks before the storm system makes its exit by Saturday, Miller said.
Thunderstorms will also be possible Wednesday night through late Thursday night throughout the county, forecasters said.
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High temperatures Tuesday could reach 69 degrees near the coast and inland, 66 in the western valleys, 62 near the foothills, 54 in the mountains and 64 in the deserts.
