Another late season storm to bring rain, snow to San Diego County
Above: FOX 5’s Brad Willis with the forecast for April 3, 2024, including seven-day.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The sun peeked its head back out for San Diego early this week following a late season drenching, but residents should not get too cozy basking in its rays quite yet: Another cold storm is on its way.
The storm, which is anticipated to roll over Thursday and Friday, is forecast to bring more widespread rain, strong wind and low-elevation snow to the region.
The first impacts of the storm will strong gusty southwest winds beginning Thursday afternoon with precipitation beginning to fall later into the evening.
According to the National Weather Service, the winds’ peak gusts are expected to reach speeds of anywhere from about 26 to 33 miles per hour along the coast and in valley areas, and upwards of 60 miles per hour in the mountain areas.
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Some light drizzles will begin early Thursday with a deepening of the marine layer before more heavy precipitation begins in the evening, continuing into Friday night.
Rainfall amounts are expected to range from around one-quarter inch near the coast to around one inch in the mountains with some greater accumulations locally, NWS said. The heaviest rainfall expected from late Thursday night to Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, cold Arctic air mixed in with the system will drop snow levels to around 3,000 to 3,500 feet — among the lowest the region has seen this year.
With the snow level change, San Diego’s lower-elevation mountain communities, such as Julian and Pine Valley, could see several inches of snowfall into Friday. According to NWS, as much as six to eight inches could fall in these areas, with eight to 12 expected for the region’s peaks.
Forecasters say cold air could also create conditions for thunderstorms developing Friday afternoon, as well as small hail or graupel from those or some of the stronger showers.
Temperatures on Thursday will begin to cool with the storm, dropping about 20 degrees in some areas from Wednesday’s high.
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By Friday, NWS says some areas could set a record for coldest high temperature ever on that date with 50s expected along the coast, 40s in the valleys and high desert, mid-50s to 60s in the low desert, and mid-20s to 30s up in the mountains.
A Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect for the San Diego County mountains beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, remaining in place until 11 p.m. Friday. During this time, travel could be difficult, including along the Interstate 8 between Descanso and Boulevard.
The weekend will again dry off and heat up with a weak high pressure setting in on Saturday before another low-pressure system brings some showers Sunday night into Monday. After that, temperatures should warm to their seasonal average by Wednesday, according to NWS.
While Saturday may get some relief from the dreary rain, San Diegans should not jump into the ocean at the beach just yet, as the 72-hour general rain advisory will likely be in place.
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