San Diego County to Get Drenched with Rains; High Winds Expected

The weaker of two winter storms threatening San Diego County may spur light rain in coastal and valley areas as early as tonight, meteorologists said.

A weak trough of low pressure will bring gusty winds and a chance of light precipitation over the mountains and coastal plains late today into early Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. By early Friday, a second and much stronger storm is expected to arrive.

"A large strong low pressure system over the Eastern Pacific will move slowly inland through California for Friday through the weekend, bringing periods of heavy precipitation and strong gusty winds," according to the weather service, which forecast widespread rain and winds Friday morning into Friday afternoon, and intermittent showers and winds from Friday night to Sunday.

Rainfall totals from the second storm are expected to range from 1-2 inches along the coast to 3-5 inches on coastal mountain slopes, though local amounts could exceed 7 inches on south-facing mountain slopes.

"The rainfall could cause flash flooding and mud and debris flows near recent burn areas as well as urban and small stream flooding," an NWS advisory said.

In preparation for the storm, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department announced it has a limited number of sandbags available to residents at fire stations in Ocean Beach, the Sports Arena area, Pacific Beach, Kearny Mesa, San Ysidro, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch, Tierrasanta, Rancho Penasquitos, Santaluz and Pacific Highlands. Bags also are available from lifeguard stations in Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla Shores and Pacific Beach.

Residents can receive up to 10 bags at a time and are free to fill them with sand from area beaches.

Wind gusts on Friday are expected to be around 65 mph in the mountains and deserts, and around 40 mph in coastal and valley areas.

The second storm is also likely to generate large, rough surf and strong rip currents along local beaches. The weather service scheduled a beach hazards statement from late Thursday night to Sunday afternoon, saying 8-10 foot surf is possible by Saturday afternoon and evening.

Also, a gale watch for mariners off the coast of San Diego County will be in effect from late Thursday night to late Friday night. A gale watch is issued when the risk of gale-force winds of 34 to 47 knots has significantly increased.

—City News Service