San Diego is starting off mostly cloudy this morning, but the gray skies will give way to a bright, sunny afternoon with a high near 67°F and light south winds. Tonight stays mild with a low around 51°F. It is a short, warm and dry break, because a much stronger winter storm is forecast to roll in on Monday, February 16, 2026, bringing heavier rain, gusty winds and mountain snow.
Afternoon And Sunday
Skies should clear by late morning, setting up a comfortably cool day with highs near 67°F this afternoon and around 65°F on Sunday. A marine layer may creep back in overnight near the coast, which means low clouds early Sunday before the sun breaks through by midday. By Sunday afternoon, expect breezy south-southwest winds in the mountains and deserts, with peak gusts near 35 mph and choppy conditions in higher terrain.
Storm Arrives Monday
Rain is expected to move in on Monday, February 16, with the heaviest precipitation during the day and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Forecasts call for a high near 64°F with south winds of 10 to 25 mph and gusts up to around 40 mph. Brief heavy downpours could quickly pond water on streets and cut visibility. Forecasters at the National Weather Service San Diego say the system will also produce mountain snow and gusty winds across the region.
Flooding, Snow And Wind Impacts
Official guidance estimates roughly 1.25 to 2 inches of rain for the coast and valleys and 2 to 5 inches in the mountains from Monday into midweek, with lesser totals in the deserts. Mountain snow levels should fall from around 6,500 to 7,000 feet to near 5,000 feet Monday night. There is a modest chance of higher river flows, including about a 15% chance that the San Diego River could reach monitor stage Monday into Tuesday, and hourly rain rates may trigger brief flash flooding in poor-drainage and burn-scar areas. According to ABC 10News, residents in known flood spots should use the dry weekend to prepare sandbags and clear storm drains.
Beaches And Boaters
The incoming storm will kick up larger swell and choppy seas from Monday through Wednesday, making swimming dangerous and driving strong rip currents. Small craft should steer clear of open waters during the peak of the storm, and beachgoers should follow lifeguard closures and warnings while surf is elevated.
How To Prepare
Secure loose outdoor items, move vehicles out of low-lying beach parking lots, and plan extra time for the Monday commute. If you have to drive, slow down on wet roads and avoid standing water. If you are heading to the mountains, check road conditions and carry chains, and if you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and find an alternate route.
