Big weather disruptions hit Southern California again as a second Pacific storm wallops San Diego County, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and mountain snow. The storm’s second wave arrived before dawn, sending Palomar Mountain winds to 76 mph, coastal gusts around 50 mph, and downpours in Escondido and Valley Center. Lightning was reported near Miramar, and Mount Laguna continued to see snowfall that could reach a foot by day's end, according to the National Weather Service.
Flight operations at San Diego International slowed down, with about 40 flights delayed through 9 a.m. Heavy rain also slicked up freeways during the morning rush hour. Snow and wind forced transportation challenges, including a fallen tree near the E Street Station in Chula Vista that caused Blue Line trolley delays; the Blue Line serves the route from San Ysidro to UTC.
Forecasters expect skies to gradually clear in North County first, followed by South County, though another lighter wind-and-rain band is anticipated Thursday.
Overnight rain totals through 7 a.m. included: Julian 1.31 inches; Descanso 0.94 inch; Ramona 0.71 inch; Black Mountain 0.85 inch; San Pasqual Valley 0.50 inch; Carlsbad 0.34 inch; Oceanside 0.33 inch; San Diego International Airport 0.27 inch; Imperial Beach 0.17 inch. Peak wind gusts reached 51 mph in Solana Beach, 49 mph in Oceanside, 46 mph at North Island, and 44 mph at Imperial Beach.
The wind also prompted safety concerns for high-profile vehicles, leading Mountain Empire Unified School District to cancel classes on Wednesday.
Forecasters project total precipitation could reach about 1.5 inches by Friday as the storm shifts eastward, a level that even a Seattle resident might find notable. Still, the added moisture helps lower wildfire risk in a region that typically receives relatively little rain. San Diego’s annual average is about 9.79 inches, and the city was already near that mark, just 0.63 inches short on Wednesday morning.
Earlier lightning strikes in San Pasqual Valley started a fire in a palm grove, scorching more than 100 trees near Highland Valley Road just after 3 a.m. The grove fire, sparked by multiple lightning bolts, burned roughly two acres but did not threaten nearby structures. Crews from Escondido, San Diego, and Cal Fire responded and contained the flames, with no injuries reported.
Rain is expected to taper by Friday, though another storm could roll in by Monday, keeping the storm window open through much of February, according to forecaster Adam Roser. In the meantime, residents should stay prepared for possible travel delays and fluctuating conditions.
This report was contributed by staff writer Karen Kucher.
