Rainy weather in the offing for San Diego area

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Following last weekend's flashback to summer heat, this week will feature a preview of winter as a cold rainstorm moves through the San Diego area, according to meteorologists.

A marked cool-down on Tuesday – sending temperatures dipping about 10 degrees across the county – will usher in the inclement conditions, with showers likely beginning in the evening hours, the National Weather Service reported. More widespread precipitation and even lower thermometer readings are expected Wednesday, the agency advised.

By the time the rain dwindles out on Thursday, the storm clouds will have left behind roughly a half-inch to one inch of moisture along the coast, 1 1/2 to two inches in the mountains and less than a quarter-inch in the deserts, forecasters predicted.

The snow level is likely to drop to around 6,000 feet over the period, bringing a chance for some dustings of frozen flakes on the very highest mountain peaks.

Due to the expected intensity of some of the cloudbursts, the NWS issued a flash-flood watch for local coastal, inland-valley and East County highland communities, effective Tuesday evening through late Wednesday night.

Fair and warmer conditions are expected to resume next weekend as a weak high-pressure system moves in from the west, the weather service advised.