County Meteorologist's Forecast

The Department of Public Works has its own meteorologist as part of its flood control staff. Here's Rand Allan's forecast for the coming days.

A strong winter storm is moving rapidly towards California. Rain in advance of the upper low is currently moving through Central California. Shower activity is expected to begin over San Diego late tonight, becoming likely by sunrise tomorrow. Rain will become heavy at times as the cold front moves through the county by noontime and continuing into the early afternoon. Heavy rain switches to showers after the frontal passage continuing into Friday morning with scattered showers continuing into Saturday morning, primarily in the mountains. Expected rain totals are 1” near the coast increasing to 2”-4” in the mountains with up to 5” on the southwest facing slopes, and ¼” in the deserts. Minor urban flooding and debris flows in recent Alpine burn area are possible with the frontal passage. There should be a dusting of snow at the highest elevations.

Right on the heels of tomorrow’s storm is a second much weaker, but colder, storm arriving Saturday afternoon and continuing into Sunday morning with snow levels lowering to near 5000’. No word yet on rain and snow amounts, but flooding is not expected with this storm.

Weather clears Sunday evening with fair skies through at least next Tuesday with the possibility of a stronger third storm hitting Southern California mid-week.