As an unprecedented storm system sweeps through the San Diego region, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a myriad of advisories, urging residents to brace for a cocktail of meteorological ruckus, showers, thunderstorms, and high winds are slated to buffet the area through Saturday, according to the NWS official forecast. Chilly temperatures are also on the docket, with the mercury expected to hover in the low 60s at lower elevations and drop to the 40s in the mountains.
In a statement obtained by the NWS San Diego Twitter feed, "additional showers and isolated thunderstorms will spread into the area from the south and southeast this morning." Travelers are particularly cautioned as the winter weather advisory remains in effect until 4 a.m. PST Saturday for areas above 6500 feet where up to 9 inches of snow could pile up above 8000 feet, making for dicey conditions on mountain highways, the X post detailed.
Additional showers and isolated thunderstorms will spread into the area from the south and southeast this morning, and then increasingly from the east later in the day as the center of the upper low passes by to the south across northern Baja. #cawx pic.twitter.com/i2R4zerkCp
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) December 22, 2023
Riverside County is on high alert for flooding through early morning, with minor flooding reported in low-lying areas, potential water over roadways, and ponding in urban locals, per the flood advisory detailed by NWS. Beachgoers are also warned of potential dangers as a beach hazards statement remains in effect through Friday morning, with lightning posing a serious risk for those near the coasts, as reported by NWS watches, warnings, & advisories.
Meanwhile, the NWS Area Forecast Discussion clarifies that the tempest will not persist indefinitely, showers with isolated thunderstorms will continue today and then gradually decrease late today and overnight before retreating completely. San Diego County might experience lingering showers Saturday morning, the NWS forecast discussion states. Looking ahead to next week, San Diegans can expect a respite from the stormy weather with dry conditions and temperatures warming to above seasonal averages.
