Last storm in trifecta should move through area today

The last and strongest in a series of winter storms to hit San Diego County will bring heavy rain at times throughout the day today, a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms and snow down to around 4,500 feet on Friday. Rain started falling in parts of Southern California during the early morning hours. Between 12:15 and 6:15 a.m., the storm dropped .04 of an inch of rain at a site on the La Jolla Reservation; .02 of an inch at Harbison Canyon, Miramar Lake, on Mount Laguna and in Tierra Del Sol; and .01 of an inch in Alpine, De Luz, Dulzura, Point Loma, Rancho Bernardo, San Marcos, Scripps Ranch, University Heights and Valley Center, according to the National Weather Service. No rain was reported yet in the deserts. Forecasters said showers may become heavy at times during the afternoon. A slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms is also in the forecast for the beaches and valleys. Rainfall amounts expected in Southern California from the latest bout of inclement weather range from less than a quarter-inch in the deserts to about a half-inch in coastal areas to an inch or more in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters predicted the weather system would drop .18 of an inch of rain in Borrego Springs; .40 in San Diego; .46 in Oceanside; .51 in Escondido; .55 in the Miramar area; .64 in Alpine; .67 in Ramona; .77 in Julian; .90 on Mount Laguna; and .92 on Palomar Mountain. The snow level is expected to drop to 4,500 feet Friday and about an inch of fresh powder could accumulate. Forecasters said heavy snowfall would be confined to the highest peaks. At the beaches, morning high tides peaking at about 6.7 to 6.8 feet combined with higher than average surf will up the risk for minor tidal overflow in low-lying areas such as parking lots and beach adjacent boardwalks, forecasters said. A beach hazards statement warning of such will expire at 10 a.m. Affected areas may include the Strand in Oceanside, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, La Jolla Shores and Imperial Beach. Forecasters said rain showers may linger into Friday in most areas and into Saturday in the mountains. High pressure will bring drier weather and a warming trend early next week.

A National Weather Service winter storm warning for the Riverside and San Bernardino mountains will extend from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Forecasters said periods of heavy snowfall were expected between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 1 to 5 inches of snow could accumulate in elevations of 5,000 to 6,000 feet, 5 to 10 inches could fall in areas between 6,000 and 8,000 feet and 10 to 15 inches may blanket the highest peaks.

Dense fog that may skew visibility and southwest winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour with gusts to 40 mph are also expected. Difficult travel conditions are expected on mountain roadways and snow chains may be required, forecasters said.

The snow showers are expected to taper off overnight, but pick back up again Friday night into Saturday morning.

Elsewhere in Riverside County, rain is expected in most areas. There will be a 50 percent chance of measurable precipitation in the Coachella Valley and a slight chance of thunderstorms for Riverside metro areas and the surrounding valleys.

Predicted rainfall amounts from the latest bout of inclement weather range from less than a quarter-inch in the deserts to around an inch in the mountains with more than 1.5 inches in certain spots.

The storm is expected to move out of the region overnight for the most part, but forecasters said some showers may linger into Friday morning, mainly in the mountains. High pressure will bring dry weather this weekend and a warming trend next week.

SAN DIEGO (CNS) -

Share this: