San Diego County is starting the week off with chances of rain and high winds in some areas, with gusts expected to exceed 55 mph on some ridges, mountain passes, and desert slopes.
Wind advisories will be in effect from 11 a.m. Monday until 11 a.m. Tuesday for the mountains and deserts, including Idyllwild-Pine Cove and Julian, with gusts up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
“Winds will increase by midday and continue into early Tuesday, strongest and locally hazardous in mountains and deserts,” the San Diego office of the agency said. “Showers are most likely late afternoon through the evening from coast to mountains.”
A tenth of an inch of rain is possible in coastal areas and a quarter inch possible in the mountains. Snow levels will start at about 7,000 feet and drop to 4,000 feet Monday night. Total snowfall will be an inch or less above 6,000 feet, forecasters said.
Conditions are expected to warm up Tuesday and Wednesday and winds should die down
On Tuesday — Saint Patrick’s Day — cloudy conditions in the morning will gradually give way to sunny skies, with a high near 63, west winds 5 to 10 mph, and gusts as high as 20 mph.
Coastal areas should see some sun through Friday, with highs in low to mid-60s. Inland valley areas are also expected to warm up slightly, with highs in the low to mid-70s.
Mountain areas should see highs in the upper 50s to mid-60s through the week. Desert areas are also warming up through the week, with highs in the low 80s expected by Thursday.
A gale warning and a small craft advisory are in effect from San Mateo Point to the Mexico border from 5 p.m. Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Surf conditions will be 4 to 7 feet through Tuesday, with high rip current risks and potentially hazardous swimming conditions.
City News Service contributed to this report.
