Isolated showers will impact the county today, creating soggy drives across our roadways. Storm one recorded nice rainfall totals, with areas like Mount Laguna and Lindbergh Field reporting close to one inch of rain. Click here to see rainfall totals where you live.
Storm two will be more impactful, with widespread heavy rain and colder air lowering snow levels. The worst of the rain will occur on Thursday during the morning commute. If you can work from home, Thursday would be a good day to avoid being on the roads.
Flooding will be more of a concern on Thursday. A Flood Watch from the coast to the mountains starts at 10 p.m. today and lasts until 6 p.m. Thursday. As heavy rain moves in, the San Diego River and other low-lying areas may flood. This storm looks similar to last Thursday's storm and has similar impacts.
The rainfall totals for storm two will be higher, averaging between .75 and 2" for the coast and valleys, 1 to 4" in the mountains, and less than .50" in the deserts.
Snow levels will plummet between 3,500' to 4,000' by 6/7 am Thursday, which is about as low as they got last week, so expect similar conditions. The higher mountains of Palomar Mountain, Mt. Laguna, and Lookout Mountain may receive 4 to 12" of snow, while areas above 4,000' will likely get 1 to 4" of snow, which includes Julian and Ranchita. A light dusting of snow will even be possible for Pine Valley, Descanso, Warner Springs, and maybe even the deserts, though it won't stick around for long.
Due to the snow and high winds, a Winter Weather Advisorywill be in effect in the mountains from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. Thursday. Travel through the hills will be hazardous from Thursday into Friday. If possible, avoid the mountains, but if you must, carry chains.
A Wind Advisory will impact everyone except the mountains on Thursday. The coast and valleys will be under the advisory starting at noon. Westerly winds will build overnight Wednesday into Thursday and gust up to 40mph. Stronger winds will target the deserts, with sustained westerlies 20-30 mph gusting up to 50 mph. The desert's advisory starts at 7 p.m. today and lasts through 11 p.m. on Thursday.
Showers, heavy at times, will continue through Friday before we dry out and warm up for the weekend. A weaker storm will bring another chance of rain Monday night into Tuesday next week.
Our deficit has improved, and it is now under 5". We remain at level three drought or Extreme Drought, but that could change with this week's storms.
Wednesday's Highs:
Coast: 61-66°
Inland: 55-62°
Mountains: 49-58°
Deserts: 69-73°
For the latest news, weather and traffic updates, follow Vanessa Paz on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
