What to Know
- A winter storm watch, wind advisory and a flood watch are in effect
- Rain totals across the weekend are expected to be around 1 to 2 inches on average
- Heavy wet snow is possible and snowfall in our mountains is predicted from 1 to 3 inches
A storm system will advance into San Diego County late Friday and is expected to bring up to two inches of rain and snow to the region for Easter weekend.
The “unseasonably cold and vigorous storm system” is expected to reach the area while most of San Diego is asleep and bring widespread showers Friday morning to most areas. The storm comes with a chance of thunderstorms, along with mountain snow, according to NBC 7 meteorologists.
The system is expected to hit hardest late Friday night through midday Saturday, with showers and possible thunderstorms lingering through Sunday, “some of which could be very strong with very heavy downpours, hail, gusty winds and possibly even a small tornado or waterspout.”
Rain totals across the weekend are expected to be around 1 to 2 inches on average. The mountains will likely be hardest hit with a predicted 2 inches or more of rain mixed with some snow. Snow levels will lower to mountains around 5,000 feet on Saturday.
Scattered showers will move back in Easter Sunday morning as an area of low pressure gets closer. We will see scattered showers throughout the day with the chance for thunderstorms. It won’t be as windy on Sunday, but still a bit breezy, NBC 7’s Meteorologist Sheena Parveen said.
NBC 7 meteorologist Brooke Martell goes to Pacific Beach, where many people soaked up the sun while they still could.
Rain will begin to taper off Sunday night but some showers could linger into Monday, Parveen said.
Forecasters said there’s a slight chance the storm activity could linger into early Monday, but “otherwise dry and warmer conditions are expected next week, with highs back into the 70s across the valleys and inland coastal plain areas by Tuesday.”
Advisories and watches
A flood watch is in effect from the coast to the mountains from early Saturday morning to Sunday evening.
A wind advisory is in effect for the entire county starting Saturday morning. It will expire for the cost and valleys by 1 p.m. Saturday and for the mountains and deserts at 11 p.m. Saturday. Winds may gust near 40mph for the coast and inland, and near 50mph in the deserts. Mountains will also be windy with gusts near 50mph.
A winter weather advisory is in effect in the San Diego County mountains from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon above 5,000 ft. Heavy wet snow is possible and snowfall is predicted from 1 to 3 inches from 5,000 to 5,500 feet and 3 to 6 inches above 5,500 feet with wind gusts up to 50mph, the NWS said.
Precautions
San Diego city officials Friday encouraged residents to “prepare and take precautions” ahead a Pacific storm system forecast for the region that will start Friday evening and last through the weekend.
Before rain falls, the city’s Storm Patrol — made up of dozens of teams from the Transportation and Stormwater departments — will be sent out to clean storm drains and inlets with a history of debris buildup, officials said. Crews will also sweep streets to reduce trash and pollutants from entering waterways, they added.
In the interest of residential safety, officials said the city may close flood-prone roads along the San Diego River before the storm arrives.
During the rain, Storm Patrol teams will monitor pump stations and more than 46,000 storm drains throughout the city for any issues. They will also respond to reported incidents of flooding, and downed trees or branches.
- The city said residents can prepare ahead of time and lower flooding risks by taking these steps:
- Sweep and pick up trash, leaves, grass clippings or other debris that collect around storm drains and curb gutters near a home;
- Keep trash and recycle bin lids securely closed on when putting them out for pick-up, and keep each bin 2 to 3 feet away from the curb to hindering storm water flow on the street;
- Proactively turn off irrigation to save water and minimize runoff;
- Know the safest routes to and from their home or property, if flooding happens;
- Slow down and do not drive, ride or walk through flood waters; and
- Do not open or lift manhole covers in the event of street flooding.
Sandbags available
There are limited number of filled sandbags available Friday for people impacted by the Jan. 22 storm and flooding. Those residents may pick up sandbags until 7 p.m. at the Mountain View Recreation Center, also the site of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Center, and the Encanto Recreation Center.
For those living elsewhere in the city or businesses, empty sandbags are available at select recreation centers during operating hours and are limited to 10 bags. However, sand is not provided.
Sandbag locations are:
- Council District 1, Pacific Beach Recreation Center, 1405 Diamond St. ;
- Council District 2 (inland), North Clairemont Recreation Center, 4421 Bannock Ave. and (coastal) Robb Field Athletic Area, 2525 Bacon St.;
- Council District 3, Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive;
- Council District 4, Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, 6401 Skyline Drive;
- Council District 5, Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress Drive;
- Council District 6, Standley Recreation Center, 3585 Governor Drive;
- Council District 7, Allied Gardens Recreation Center, 5155 Greenbrier Ave.
- Council District 8, San Ysidro Community Activity Center, 179 Diza Road or Southcrest Recreation Center, 4149 Newton Ave.; and
- Council District 9, City Heights Recreation Center, 4380 Landis St.
Shelter available
In preparation for a storm system that forecasters say will bring heavy rain, the San Diego Housing Commission Friday activated four inclement weather shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
These shelters will be opened later Friday at the following locations:
- Father Joe’s Villages, at the Joan Kroc Center, 1501 Imperial Ave., can take up to 61 adults, and has an additional 11 beds for families with minor children and/or single women, with check-in at 4 p.m. until the shelter is full, with check-out at 5 a.m. Saturday;
- Paul Mirabile Center, also at 1501 Imperial Ave., can accept up to 62 adult individuals, and check-in at 4 p.m. until the facility is full, with check-out at 5 a.m. Saturday;
- Living Water Church of the Nazarene at 1550 Market St. can take up to 28 adults, who can check-in between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., until the facility is full, with check-out set for 6:30 a.m.; and
- San Diego Rescue Mission at 120 Elm St. can accept up to 10 single women able to access the top bunks, and check-in starts at 5 p.m. throughout the night until the shelter is full, with check-out at 7 a.m. Saturday.
The program is a partnership of the San Diego Housing Commission, city of San Diego and the shelters.
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