San Diego weather

Powerful Winter Storm Brings Widespread Rain, Mountain Snow to San Diego County

Widespread and heavier rain will arrive Sunday, with more to come on Monday

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A cold winter storm continued to dump rain across San Diego County Monday as mountain peaks were topped with a fresh dusting of snow.

The rain started Sunday as a cold front moved southeast across the region. Most areas of the county saw heavy rain throughout the afternoon and evening.

A second round of showers was expected Monday morning and affected morning commuters. Off-and-on showers continued throughout the day as the sun peeked through periodically.

The storm was affecting drivers across the county, particularly in the mountains like Palomar where chains would be required after a snow dump. It's not clear yet if the weather played a role in an accident in North County, where an overturned truck prompted the closure of multiple lanes of Interstate 5 north. By 10:30, traffic had backed up for miles, with lanes held to 5 mph all the way from Oceanside Harbor to Las Flores Drive.

Two county roads were closed Sunday because of flooding, according to the San Diego County Department of Public Works. Country Club Drive, just south of Harmony Grove Village Road in Escondido, was barricaded and closed at 1:04 p.m. due to flooding and will remain closed until the rainstorm is over, the DPW said.

Arriving in December, the storm is affecting not only people, but also events, NBC 7's Kelvin Henry reports.

In Spring Valley, Quarry Road was closed at 1:27 p.m. from Elkelton Boulevard to state Route 125 because of flooding.

A wind advisory was issued until 6 p.m. Sunday in San Diego County coastal areas and inland valleys and until 8 p.m. Monday for the deserts. A winter storm watch was issued for Sunday evening through Monday evening in San Diego County mountains.

Temperatures were expected to be cold overnight. In the deserts, a frost advisory was in effect from 10 p.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday. Frost was again likely overnight Tuesday as lows drop to the 30s.

Some North County residents were not letting the storm change their routines, NBC 7's Ramon Galindo reports.

Tuesday and Wednesday were expected to be dry and cold followed by minor warming Thursday and Friday.

There was a chance for additional precipitation next weekend.

Gusty south winds 25-30 knots Sunday morning were expected to turn to the northwest Sunday afternoon. Rough seas, strong winds and heavy rain leading to reduced visibility may occur through much of Sunday and Monday. A slight chance of thunderstorms was expected over the coastal waters starting later Sunday night into Monday morning. Conditions were predicted to improve on Tuesday.

A longer-period swell of 7-10 feet at 12-14 second periods could arrive at the beaches after midnight Sunday. This may lead to some wave sets of up to 6-7 feet on some of the west-facing beaches on Monday and Tuesday, as well as enhanced risks for rip currents.

Copyright City News Service
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