The weaker of two winter storms threatening San Diego County may spur light rain in coastal and valley areas as early as Wednesday night, meteorologists said.
A weak trough of low pressure will bring gusty winds and a chance of light precipitation over the mountains and coastal plains late Wednesday into early Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. By early Friday, a second and much stronger storm is expected to arrive.
Where To Pick Up Sandbags
Residents must bring their own shovel to pick up free sandbags from one of the following locations:
• Cal Fire Station 73: 28205 North Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center
• Pauma Valley-Rincon, Cal Fire Station 70: 16971 Highway 76, Valley Center
• Cal Fire Station 50: 1587 Highway 78, Julian
• Alpine Fire Protection District, Station 17: 1364 Tavern Road, Alpine (Bags ONLY)
• Ramona Station: 3410 Dye Road, Ramona, CA
• North County Fire Protection District, Station 4: 4375 Pala Mesa Drive, Fallbrook
• Cal Fire Station 30: 17304 Highway 94, Dulzura
• Bonita/Sunnyside Fire Department: 4900 Bonita Road, Bonita
• Kit Carson Park: 3333 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido
Source: County News Center
"A large strong low pressure system over the Eastern Pacific will move slowly inland through California for Friday through the weekend, bringing periods of heavy precipitation and strong gusty winds,'' according to the weather service, which forecast widespread rain and winds Friday morning into Friday afternoon, and intermittent showers and winds from Friday night to Sunday.
Rainfall totals from the second storm are expected to range from 1-2 inches along the coast to 3-5 inches on coastal mountain slopes, though local amounts could exceed 7 inches on south-facing mountain slopes.
"The rainfall could cause flash flooding and mud and debris flows near recent burn areas as well as urban and small stream flooding,'' an NWS advisory said.
In preparation for the storm, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department announced it has a limited number of sandbags available to residents at fire stations in Ocean Beach, the Sports Arena area, Pacific Beach, Kearny Mesa, San Ysidro, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch, Tierrasanta, Rancho Penasquitos, Santaluz and Pacific Highlands. Bags also are available from lifeguard stations in Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla Shores and Pacific Beach.
Residents can receive up to 10 bags at a time and are free to fill them with sand from area beaches.
Wind gusts on Friday are expected to be around 65 mph in the mountains and deserts, and around 40 mph in coastal and valley areas.
The second storm is also likely to generate large, rough surf and strong rip currents along local beaches. The weather service scheduled a beach hazards statement from late Thursday night to Sunday afternoon, saying 8-10 foot surf is possible by Saturday afternoon and evening.
Also, a gale watch for mariners off the coast of San Diego County will be in effect from late Thursday night to late Friday night. A gale watch is issued when the risk of gale-force winds of 34 to 47 knots has significantly increased.
