Rain to last until Christmas in San Diego
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — Overnight sprinkles in San Diego County are expected to pick up again Wednesday as the first and weaker of two upcoming winter storms hits the region.
The first trough of low pressure is expected to produce only sporadic light rain through Friday morning, but it may be enough to leave roadways slick during morning commutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters predicted rainfall amounts from the first bout of inclement weather would be about .07 of an inch in Escondido; .08 in Oceanside; .10 in the Miramar area; .14 in San Diego; .13 in Ramona; .15 in Borrego Springs; .22 in Alpine; .23 on Palomar Mountain; .28 in Julian; and .55 on Mt. Laguna.
"The first one will bring some light rain, mainly to southern areas with the highest rainfall amounts forecast for the mountains of San Diego County," according to the weather service. "The second system will be of higher impact with the potential for brief heavy rainfall and strong winds as a front quickly moves southeast across SoCal."
The second stronger and colder front is expected to bring precipitation beginning Friday evening and may cause problems for holiday travelers, forecasters said.
Rainfall amounts from the second storm are expected to be .31 of an inch in Borrego Springs; .75 in San Diego; .82 in Oceanside; .86 on Mt. Laguna; .88 around Miramar; .91 in Escondido; .93 in Ramona; 1.13 inches in Alpine; 1.27 in Julian; and 1.73 on Palomar Mountain, according to the NWS.
"Rain will start Friday night and become heavy at times through Saturday," according to the weather service. "This storm has potential to bring several inches of snow in the mountains with snow levels dropping to around 4,500 feet Saturday morning."
Temperatures in coastal areas and the valleys on Friday will top out in the mid-60s, with lows in the mid-40s to low 50s. On Saturday, the mercury will likely remain in the 50s, with a low between 41 and 49 at the beaches and 39 to 46 degrees in the valleys Saturday night, according to the weather service.
The agency predicted highs of 56 to 61 degrees in the mountains Friday would fall to 45 to 50 degrees on Saturday. Saturday night, low temperatures in the mountains may drop as low as 28 degrees.
On Christmas Day, a chance of morning showers is in the forecast for locales throughout the county.
