Forecasters said locally heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected through Saturday evening along the coast, in the valleys and in mountain areas below 6,000 feet, but should lighten late in the night.
Additional rainfall of up to 4 inches in the mountains and 1 inch near the coast is possible, according to the National Weather Service. The chance of rain should fall to 40 percent by Sunday.
Some areas were bombarded by more than 5 inches of rain during the weekend storm, while others received less than an inch.
Large swells, dangerous surf of up to 15 feet and strong rip currents along San Diego County’s beaches were also expected. Forecasters said the surf combined with high tides, wind and rainfall runoff would likely result in widespread, but minor coastal flooding that could cause property and structural damage.
Coastal residents should be on the lookout for rising water, and should take action to protect life and property, a NWS statement said.
A coastal flood warning will remain in effect until 1 a.m. Sunday and a high surf advisory is set to expire at 4 a.m. Monday.
In San Diego County’s valleys and mountains, downpours soaking newly saturated soil will continue to raise the risk of flash flooding through tonight, the weather service said. A flash flood watch is in effect through late tonight.
Coastal mountain slopes near and downstream from recently burned areas and low-lying areas with poor drainage are especially vulnerable to flash flooding, according to the weather service.
Damages through the early part of the weekend included a marked increase in traffic accidents.
Between 12:01 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday, the California Highway Patrol logged 514 accidents on freeways and in unincorporated areas in San Diego County and Temecula. On a fair weather day, the agency handles an average of 50-75 crashes.
The weather service said rainfall counts over a 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. were:
- 5.14 inches of rain at Palomar Mountain;
- 4.35 at Lake Cuyamaca;
- 3.25 in Julian;
- 2.73 in Ramona;
- 1.06 in San Marcos;
- 1.04 in Escondido.
- 1.42 inches in Vista;
- 1.28 at the Carlsbad Airport;
- 1.02 at Brown Field; .96 in Chula Vista;
- .78 at Montgomery Field; .64 in Del Mar; .
- .52 at Lindbergh Field.
– City News Service
