SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- San Diegans are feeling the effects of a winter storm moving through the county Thanksgiving weekend.
The storm is expected to dump heavy rain along the coast and snow in the mountains.
Heavy rain expected throughout San Diego County
A flash flood watch was issued from late Tuesday night through Thursday evening.
According to the National Weather Service, rainfall totals of two to three inches are possible, especially on coastal mountain slopes.
Some areas could also see rainfall rates of half an inch per hour.
"The threat for flash flooding is greatest in the mountains below 5,500 feet through Wednesday, below 4,500 to 5,000 feet for Wednesday night through Thursday, and on the lowest elevations of the mountains for Thursday evening," the agency said.
Snow expected to impact travel
A winter storm warning is in effect for the San Diego County mountains from 4 a.m. Wednesday through 10 p.m. Friday.
The National Weather Service says snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected between 4,000 and 4,500 feet, 6 to 18 inches from 4,500 to 5,500 feet, and from 1 to 3 feet above 5,500 feet.
Snowfall for lower elevations below 4,000 feet of 1 to 3 inches is also expected, mostly for late Thursday through Friday.
Strong southwest winds of 50 to 70 miles per hour are also expected along ridges and desert slopes.
The snow is also expected to impact travel over the course of Thanksgiving weekend. Up-to-the-minute traffic conditions are available online here. Check out the image below to see which roads are expected to be impacted by the snow:
RELATED STORIES
- CHP may shut down Grapevine ahead of Thanksgiving storm
- Storm to arrive Wednesday, bring rough travel conditions to San Diego County
- San Diego to see Thanksgiving storm with holiday travel near record high
- Sheriff's Department offering free home checks over Thanksgiving as part of year-round program
Road closures
The Quarry Drive Dip in Spring Valley closed Wednesday night between SR8125 and Lakeview Ave due to flooding.
Beach hazards during storm
A beach hazards statement is in effect through Friday morning as waves and surf are forecast to reach between three to five feet. Higher sets from six to seven feet are also forecast through Friday.
Minor coastal flooding is expected during morning high tides with the highest surf arriving Thursday and Friday.
The Department of Environmental Health issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to bacteria in runoff. Surfers and swimmers should wait 72 hours after the end of a storm to enter the water, health officials said.
As storms approach and flooding looms, San Diego County has dozens of locations to grab free sandbags. Check out the list of locations below:
Sand and Bags
- Bonita/Sunnyside: 4900 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902 P: 619-479-2346
- Boulevard: 40080 Ribbonwood Road, Boulevard, CA 91905 P: 619-390-2020
- Dulzura: 17304 Highway 94, Dulzura, CA 91917 P: 619-468-3391
- Fallbrook: 4375 Pala Mesa Drive, Fallbrook, CA 92028 P: 760-723-2024
- Julian: 1587 State Route 78, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-0511
- Lakeside River Park Conservancy:12108 Industry Road, Lakeside CA 92040 P: 619-443-4770 *(Closed over the weekend; open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Palomar Mountain: 21610 Crestline Road, Palomar Mtn., CA 92060 P: 760-742-3701
- Ramona: 3410 Dye Road, Ramona, CA 92065 P: 760-789-0107
- Ramona: 24462 San Vicente Road, Ramona, CA 92065 P: 760-789-9465
- Rincon: 16971 Highway 76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061 P: 760-742-3243
- Valley Center: 28205 N. Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center, CA 92082 P: 760-751-7605
- Warner Springs: 35227 Highway 79, Warner Springs, CA 92086 P: 760-782-9113
- Bags Only
- Alpine: 1364 Tavern Road, Alpine, CA 91901 P: 619-445-2635
- Deer Springs: 1321 Deer Springs Road, San Marcos, CA 92069 P: 760-741-5512
- De Luz: 39431 De Luz Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028 P: 760-728-2422
- Campo: 31577 Highway 94, Campo, CA 91906 P: 619-478-5516
- Campo (Lake Morena): 29690 Oak Drive, Campo, CA 91906 P: 619-478-5960
- Deer Springs: 8709 Circle R Drive, Escondido, CA 92026 P 760749-8001
- El Cajon: 551 Harbison Canyon Rd, El Cajon, CA 92019 P: 619-445-5001
- Jacumba: 1255 Jacumba St., Jacumba, CA 91934 P: 619-766-4535
- Jamul (Deerhorn): 2383 Honeysprings Road, Jamul, CA 91935 P: 619-468-3030
- Mt. Laguna: 10385 Sunrise Highway, Mt. Laguna, CA 91948 P:619-473-8281
- Ocotillo Wells: 5841 Highway 78, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 P: 760-767-7430
- Pine Valley: 28850 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley, CA 91962 P: 619-578-6621
- Potrero: 25130 Highway 94, Potrero, CA 91963 P: 619-478-5544
- Ramona: (Intermountain) 25858 A Highway 78, Ramona, CA 92065 P: 760-789-3710
- Ranchita: 37370 Montezuma Valley Road, Ranchita, CA 92066 P: 760-782-3467 *(Not staffed 24/7)
- San Pasqual: 17701 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92025 P: 858-573-1322
Theme parks
Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm closed early Wednesday due to the Southern California storm, the parks reported on twitter.
