A cold storm system will arrive Friday in San Diego County, bringing gusty conditions along with rain showers throughout the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
A significant trough of low pressure currently over the Pacific Northwest will make its way down the coast today, forecasters said. The storm system will have two waves, with the first expected to arrive Saturday morning and bring widespread rain showers throughout the day.
The second wave is forecast to arrive Sunday morning and bring wet and windy conditions through Sunday night, according to the NWS.
To fight the storm, the city and county of San Diego are offering sandbags at numerous fire stations and recreation centers throughout the region.
Department of Public Works Deputy Director Rich Whipple said if residents are not prepared, this type of weather can lead to property damage.
“If homeowners live in an area where during a rainstorm, because of topography in the vicinity of their homes, that water typically comes down and possibly could intrude into their home,” he said. “They can use the sandbags to prevent a barrier to sort of divert the water around their home.”
The city of San Diego is also helping residents prepare for the storm system as sandbags will be available in limited supply at nine recreation centers located in each City Council District.
While the city is only providing bags for residents, the county has multiple locations that offer sand as well.
Bonita resident Bobby Spence was at his local fire station filling up sandbags ahead of the storm.
“This is a big help for the residents in the area. Yea it’s a little work, but big deal,” Spence said. “I’d rather come out here and make a few sandbags than have my house flooded out.”
Coastal areas could get up to a half-inch of rain by Sunday night and the inland valleys could get up to an inch, according to the NWS. The county mountains could see up to 2.5 inches of rain and desert area could get around one-tenth of an inch.
Snow levels will drop to around 5,000 feet by Saturday night, meaning several mountain tops in San Diego County could get a few inches of snow by Sunday night, forecasters said.
The NWS issued a wind advisory that will be in effect from noon today through 10 p.m. Sunday in the mountains and deserts.
Winds out of the west and southwest are expected to reach speeds between 15-25 mph, with gusts topping out at 50 mph, forecasters said. The wind gusts will make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles and could blow down tree limbs, potentially causing power outages.
A beach hazards statement warning of waves between 4-6 feet, and possibly reaching 7 feet, will be in effect from 8 a.m. today through 2 a.m. Monday.
High temperatures today are forecast to reach 75 degrees near the coast and inland, 80 in the western valleys, 77 in the mountains and 94 in the deserts.
Highs are expected to drop sharply on Saturday, with the mercury should top out in the low-to-mid 60s in coastal and inland valley areas throughout the weekend, forecasters said.
For non-emergency flooding or downed trees, the city says residents can use the Get It Done app or call 619-527-7500 to report the events.
Whipple says the county is also offering roles of bundled straw to prevent hillside erosion for those affected by the Valley Fire.
