The first of two quick-moving storms expected to bring cooler weather, showers and gusty winds to San Diego County this weekend arrived on schedule Saturday.
The rain kept the California Highway Patrol busy throughout the county as motorists tried to deal with the slick conditions and poor visibility.
The CHP and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department have been responding to numerous traffic crashes throughout the afternoon. While none have involved serious injuries, at least one caused a SigAlert in the North County along the Interstate 15 HOV lane, according to the CHP.
Some pre-game activities that were scheduled for the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot were cancelled before the San Diego State Aztecs-Colorado State Rams football match-up.
More than three-10ths of an inch of rain had fallen in Julian and Lake Cuyamaca as of 5 p.m. Saturday. Other rain totals for the same period include .19 in Carlsbad, .11 at Lindbergh Field, .14 in El Cajon and .07 at Mission Beach.
More rain was expected to move through the county tonight and again Sunday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
“Winds will be rather strong this weekend, especially Sunday, with local gusts over 65 mph possible along the desert slopes of the mountains,” the NWS said.
Moderate to locally heavy rains were expected to drop up to a half inch west of the mountains and up to an inch in the metropolitan San Diego area near the west-facing slopes.
Snow levels will start out near the 6,000-to-7,000 foot elevation this afternoon but fall to 5,000 to 6,000 feet by this evening. Snowfall will generally be 1-4 inches late this afternoon and tonight, forecasters said.
Peak wind gusts were expected to be 60 to 65 mph tonight on the east- facing mountain slopes, and even stronger Sunday with local gusts about 70 mph.
— City News Service