So even on horribly rainy days we still close it out like this in San Diego. #SanDiegois beautiful! pic.twitter.com/NCMcBLTi1l
— Mark Cafferty (@Markcaffertysd) March 1, 2014
UPDATE: 6:43 p.m.: Airport Weather Warning Canceled
The National Weather Service has canceled its airport weather warning for Lindbergh Field. Thunderstorms are no longer expected near the airport Friday evening, and winds are expected to remain below 25 mph, according to the NWS.
UPDATE: 4:59 p.m.: Seany Foundation 5K Fundraiser On For Saturday
Rain or shine Saturday, organizers of the Seany Foundation 5K say the fundraiser will start as planned at 9 a.m.
“A half-inch of rain and tornado-like wind is chump change compared to the daily struggle kids forced to deal with cancer go through,” spokesman Robby Medina said in a statement.
The walk will begin at Road Runner Sports San Diego on 5553 Copley Drive. Proceeds from the walk will go directly to the cost of running Seany’s Camp Reach for the Sky, a summer camp for pediatric cancer patients and their siblings.
UPDATE: 4:09 p.m.: San Diego International Airport Grounding Some Flights
Many flights in and out of San Diego International Airport are being delayed or canceled due to the weather Friday. It's always wise to check ahead, but especially so when there is heavy wind and rain.
Showers increasing and heavy at times in Riverside, Orange and San Diego in round 3 #cawx pic.twitter.com/QZwIGcyyQU
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) February 28, 2014
UPDATE: 3:15 p.m.: Friday's College Softball Tournament Games Re-Scheduled Or Canceled
All 10 games of the San Diego Classic on Friday have been either canceled or moved to Saturday. This includes San Diego State’s game against Ole Miss, originally scheduled for 7 p.m.
A new schedule has been released for Saturday, while Sunday’s games will be announced Saturday.
UPDATE: 3:08 p.m.: NWS: San Diego Should Brace For Another Dose Of Wet Weather
The National Weather Service says more heavy rain is expected to pass over San Diego's inland area again after the brief respite. Strong and gusty winds will continue this afternoon as well. The rainfall and strong winds are expected to make for wet, slippery roadways and a dangerous evening commute.
Showers increasing and heavy at times in Riverside, Orange and San Diego in round 3 #cawx pic.twitter.com/QZwIGcyyQU
UPDATE: 2:43 p.m.: Downed Power Poles Close Highland Valley Road In Ramona
A heads up from the San Diego County Department of Public Works:
Highland Valley Road is Closed Between Taylor Street and Highlander Drive Due to power poles down in Ramona.
UPDATE: 2:28 p.m.: Photos Of Trees On Cars
Today would have been a good day for a garage.
UPDATE: 2:11 p.m.: Road Closure In Rainbow Due To Flooding
From the San Diego County Department of Public Works:
5th Street is Closed between Old 395 and Huffstatler in Rainbow Due to Flooding. Huffstatler road is closed at Huffstatler and Chico in Rainbow Due to Flooding
UPDATE: 1:55 p.m.: Rivers At Normal Conditions
The flash flood warning issued for extreme northwestern San Diego County expired at 1 p.m., but most of the county is still under a flash flood watch. So far, river conditions are normal:
- Santa Margarita River (Ysidro): Current: 4.4 ft., Flood stage: 11.1 ft.;
- San Luis Rey River (Oceanside): Current: 5.1 ft., Flood stage: 21 ft.;
- San Diego River (Fashion Valley): Current: 1.9 ft.; Flood stage: 11.3 ft.
UPDATE: 1:35 p.m.: Rain Letting Up But 'Light To Moderate Showers Continuing'
If you're spotting a bit of blue sky (like we are at KPBS) peeking through the clouds and rain, don't get too excited just yet. The National Weather Service says the rain may be letting up a bit, but light to moderate showers are still expected:
Widespread light to moderate showers abating somewhat over the next couple hours, before the next area of heavy rain moves in (currently entering LA). Strong and gusty winds will continue this afternoon as well. The rainfall and strong winds will make for wet, slippery roadways and a dangerous evening commute. Drive slowly and cautiously!
UPDATE: 1:13 p.m.: A Bird's Eye View Of 'A Deep Cyclone'
From the National Weather Service:
A deep cyclone we would call this and impressive 970 mb central pressure. It will weaken and fill now but continue to push bands of rain into southern California
UPDATE: 12:39 p.m.: Northern Oceanside Under Flash Flood Warning
UPDATE: 12:28 p.m.: How To Fight The Rainy Day Blues
Painting, playing and climbing at the New Children's Museum. Food, games and beer (Unless you're driving. Then we highly recommend against drinking. Seriously, just look at our previous posts on the traffic accidents.) at Dave and Buster's. Or pull a Barney Stinson and play some laser tag at Ultrazone.
As San Diego's rain storm is expected to head into the weekend, the San Diego Tourism Authority gathered up this list of things to do to keep the kids — and even the adults — entertained during the rare time most wish to stay indoors.
UPDATE: 12:02 p.m.: Mission Bay Drive Closed; San Diego Storm In Photos
What are you seeing around San Diego County on this rainy day? Tweet us your photos at @KPBSNews using the hashtag #sdrain.
UPDATE: 11:43 a.m.: Collision, Fallen Tree Slows 163
A traffic accident on the southbound 163 and a fallen tree on the northbound route off ramp at Richmond Street significantly slows down traffic. Check the CalTrans site for traffic conditions in your area.
UPDATE: 11:13 a.m.: Extreme Northwestern San Diego County Upgraded To Flash Flood Warning
Extreme northwestern San Diego County is now under a flash flood warning. This means that "flash flooding is in progress, imminent, or highly likely," in comparison to a flash flood watch, which is "neither certain or imminent," according to the National Weather Service glossary.
Southwestern Riverside County and east central Orange County are also under a flash flood warning.
UPDATE: 10:35 a.m.: Lightning, Street Flooding Heading To San Diego Inland Area
The National Weather Service warns the heavy rain expected to pass over San Diego's inland area in the next couple of hours will bring with it lightning and possible street flooding.
"Rates of half to one inch [of rain] per hour," the agency said.
UPDATE: 10:25 a.m.: 'Band Of Heavy Rain' To Hit Fallbrook Then San Luis Rey River Area
Department of Public Works posted this update on its Facebook page:
Look for a strong band of heavy rain to hit Fallbrook area in less than an hour (by 11:00) and then moving into San Luis Rey River area in next hour and a half.
UPDATE: 10:09 a.m.: Sea World Closed Due To Weather
The San Diego amusement park says it will close Friday due to the storm raining down over the region:
Due to today’s extreme weather conditions, heavy rain and strong winds, SeaWorld San Diego will be closed today, February 28, 2014. As the safety of our guests, team members and animals is a top priority, we felt it best to not open the park today in light of these weather conditions.
A powerful Pacific storm brought moderate to heavy rain, strong winds and a possibility of thunderstorms to San Diego County Friday.
The National Weather Service said the inclement weather will continue into much of the weekend, though the heaviest rainfall is expected Friday morning into the afternoon, with rainfall rates in excess of one inch an hour possible Friday.
Residents and business owners in the city of San Diego are eligible for up to 10 free sandbags from area fire and lifeguard stations, while supplies last. Sand is not included, though city officials said residents and business owners were free to fill up their bags with beach sand.
MORE: Cleveland National Forest Roads Closed Due To San Diego Rainstorm
Coastal, Valley Regions
A flash flood watch will be in effect from 6 a.m. Friday to late Saturday night for coastal, valley and mountains areas.
Beach areas also are subject to a coastal flood warning Friday because high surf is expected. In issuing the coastal flood warning from 6 a.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Sunday, the NWS said the local surf will build to 8 to 12 feet with sets to 15 feet by Saturday afternoon.
A high surf advisory will be in effect from 4 a.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Monday.
"Coastal flooding could cause damage to beach-front property if proper precautions are not taken,'' the agency said. "Large and rough surf, along with strong rip currents, will create hazardous conditions for swimmers and surfs.''
For mariners off the coast of San Diego County, a small craft advisory and a gale warning for fierce winds are both in effect Friday.
A slightly less serious wind advisory is in effect for coastal and valley areas until 8 p.m. Saturday. According to the weather service, coastal and valley areas will likely see sustained south to southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 40 mph.
Mountains, Desert Areas
Mountain areas near where the Chariot, General and San Felipe fires occurred are especially susceptible to debris flow.
Strong winds are also expected throughout the rest of the county Friday, particularly in mountain and desert areas, where sustained south to southwest winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour and widespread gusts up to 60 mph are expected. Isolated gusts of up to 75 mph in the most wind-prone areas are also likely, according to the weather service.
A high wind warning for the mountains and deserts is in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday.