109 MPH Wind Gusts Recorded In San Diego County Mountains

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — From heat wave to near hurricane, Tropical Storm Kay has changed the forecast from hot to wet and windy in San Diego County.

The storm had been categorized as a hurricane, but weakened as it made landfall Thursday night, then began shifting to the northwest over the ocean. Tropical Storm Kay still packed a punch, however, bringing widespread rain across the region.

According to the National Weather Service, moisture associated with Tropical Storm Kay will bring periods of rain and thunderstorms to the county deserts, mountains and valleys, where a flood watch is in effect through Saturday evening.

Forecasters said the heaviest rain will likely be Friday night in the valleys, where 1 to 3 inches of rainfall is expected, with the highest amounts near the foothills of the mountains. The heaviest rain will likely be Friday afternoon and night along the east slopes of the mountains and adjacent deserts. Rainfall will be 2 to 4 inches with up to 8 inches on the east mountain slopes.

"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations," forecasters said.

Tropical Storm Kay is also bringing strong, gusty winds to the region. A high wind watch is in effect through Friday evening for the coastal areas, mountains and valleys.

Strong easterly winds are expected from 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph in the coastal areas, and from 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph in the valleys, according to the National Weather Service. Strong winds are expected from 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 100 mph in the mountains.

Forecasters said gusts topping 109 mph were already recorded at Cuyamaca Peak, while coastal areas such as Carlsbad and Imperial Beach were seeing gusts in the 30 mph range. Winds were expected to increase throughout the day.

"Warm, windy and humid (Friday) with rain bands and embedded thunderstorms moving into Southern California from northern Baja California Mexico," forecasters said. "Very strong and gusty east winds will impact the area (Friday) with widespread wind damage possible especially in the mountains. Heavy rain with the potential of flash flooding is most likely over the mountains and deserts of San Diego and Riverside counties."

The storm prompted school closures in rural school districts. Schools in the Mountain Empire Unified School District were closed Friday, the San Diego County Office announced. Additionally, Julian Union Elementary School and Julian Union High School districts followed their minimum day schedules. Spencer Valley School District also closed at 11:30 a.m. and after-school activities were canceled.

Hot conditions will continue despite the storm, according to the National Weather Service. An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Friday for the coastal areas and valleys.

Also see:

• Excessive Heat Warning Extended Through Friday For San Diego County
• Hurricane Kay Could Bring Showers, Thunderstorms, Winds To San Diego

City News Service and Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.