The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a series of warnings, with a Flood Watch in effect this afternoon for multiple areas, including Orange County coastal and inland regions, Riverside County Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, and San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys. According to the National Weather Service, we're looking at around one inch of rain near the coast and possibly up to 4 inches on the coastal slopes of the San Bernardino County mountains. The heaviest rainfall is expected to drench the region after midnight, lasting into Thursday morning, followed by more scattered showers and the chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
With snow levels dropping to around 4000 feet by Thursday afternoon, those traveling in the mountains should be prepared for significant snowfall, particularly at elevations above 5000 feet. To paint the picture of the cold front's punch, the National Weather Service anticipates 4 to 8 inches of snow from 5000 to 6000 feet and up to two feet or more on the higher peaks above 8500 feet. As the winds shift from south to west this morning along the coast and valleys, 30 to 40 mph gusts are expected to exacerbate conditions, with even stronger gusts in the mountains and deserts.
The National Weather Service's Area Forecast Discussion outlines the potential for the San Diego River at Fashion Valley to hit monitor stage, a level that signals the onset of flooding, around 10 AM this morning and then receding below that stage by early Friday. Additionally, Friday is shaping up to be the coldest day of the week, with temperatures as much as 25 degrees below average in some inland valleys.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the weather is expected to dry up with a modest warming trend. While Friday might bring another round of showers to the coast and mountains, high temperatures are forecast to return to near-average levels by Sunday. However, moving into next week, another low-pressure system promises to bring cooling and chances of precipitation around Monday night into early Tuesday.
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