A late season storm is expected to hit San Diego County late Thursday, bringing with it mountain snow and rain elsewhere in the region, forecasters said Wednesday.
National Weather Service meteorologists said the storm would drop an initial round of precipitation Thursday afternoon over Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino counties, then would move south Thursday evening. Rain and snow is forecast for San Diego County Thursday evening, along with gusty winds in the mountains and deserts.
Snow levels are expected to fall from around 7,000 feet Thursday afternoon to 6,000 feet that night, forecasters said.
The storm will let up some Thursday night, but a second round of rain is expected Friday. Isolated thunderstorms with small hail will be possible through Friday afternoon, according to the weather service.
Forecasters said a few showers could stick around into the weekend.
Up to 1.25 inches of rain is expected along the coast and in the valleys through Saturday morning. The mountains could get 2.25 inches of rain and the deserts may get around three-tenths of an inch.
Forecasters predicted 1 to 3 inches of snow would fall in mountain areas with altitudes between 6,000 and 6,500 feet, 3 to 6 inches in areas up to 7,500 feet and 6 to 10 inches higher than 7,500 feet. The highest mountain peaks could get up to a foot of snow, according to the weather service.
The storm is expected to move eastward late Saturday morning.
