Storm To Bring Heavy Rain, Snow To San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Just days after a heatwave baked the San Diego region with summer-like weather, a strong storm is expected to move into the region bringing heavy rainfall along the coast and snow in the local mountains.

The National Weather Service forecast a slight chance of rain moving in late Sunday night with the bulk of the storm landing Monday along with a chance of thunder and lightning. Forecasters have placed Southern California in an excessive rainfall outlook risk area on Monday. Forecasters warned of possible street flooding and potential mudslides from heavy rainfall on the mountain burn scars.

According to the National Weather Service, the heaviest storm of the season could bring 1 to 1.5 inches of rain along the coast and in the valleys. Local mountains are expected to receive between 1.5 to 2 inches of snow with snow levels falling as low as 5,500 Monday night.

The cool wet weather will put an official end to the heat wave that set new record highs in San Diego County. Palomar Mountain set a new record high Friday when temperatures reached 75 degrees. By Monday, the daytime high for Palomar Mountain is expected to be 44 degrees, according to the National Weather service.

Lingering showers Tuesday morning were expected to end by the afternoon. Brief ridging Wednesday could bring a dry and warmer day.

On Thursday and Friday, an inside slider may bring a few showers and gusty winds to the region, but any rain amounts were expected to be light, the NWS said.

As for this weekend, Saturday was predicted to be another warm day in the valleys, mountains and deserts with a few record highs possible, the NWS said. Sunday could be a little cooler, but warm by late March standards, and above average in most areas inland from the coast.

High temperatures along the coast Saturday were predicted to be 67 to 72 degrees with overnight lows of 48 to 53. Western valley highs were expected to be 76 to 81 and 80 to 85 near the foothills with overnight lows of 48 to 53.

Highs in the mountains were expected to be 76 to 84 with overnight lows of 45 to 52, and highs in the deserts will be 96 to 101 with overnight lows of 58 to 66.

Gusty winds over the coastal waters Saturday combined with rough, choppy seas could lead to conditions hazardous to small craft. A longer period swell may develop late Monday into Tuesday, resulting in combined seas close to 10 feet in the outer waters.

A longer period west swell at county beaches was likely to develop Monday night and continue through Tuesday. This could bring elevated surf of 6- 8 feet. The surf was expected to subside Tuesday night and Wednesday.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.