A strong Pacific storm was making its way out of San Diego County Saturday, but high surf, scattered sprinkles and gusty northwest winds will linger through Sunday.
Sprinkles, snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms are forecast for Saturday, with rain expected to approach the southern coast of San Diego County at 2 p.m, according to the National Weather Service.
#Radar loop shows an area of light to moderate showers approaching the south #SanDiego cnty coast. Expect rain to move in by 2 pm there. pic.twitter.com/6owbhRvXqV
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) February 18, 2017
Gusty northwestern winds will strengthen on Saturday evening, with winds ranging from 20 to 35 mph, with the strongest winds over by the outer waters, according to the weather service.
Western swells will bring high seas to the coastal waters on Sunday, with waves about 12 to 15 feet with possible peak sets up to 18 feet. Forecasters say this could pose a hazard for small aircraft.
Waves this high could cause coastal damage to beach piers, with very strong rip currents, minor coastal flooding and beach erosion also forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
A small aircraft advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. Sunday. Pilots of small aircraft should avoid flying close to the waves. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid traveling the seas in these conditions.
Swimming conditions are considered very dangerous. Forecasters say swimmers should avoid local beaches and beware waves over topping jetties, according to the weather service.
The highest seas will peak on late Saturday afternoon and evening. The winds and sea waves will gradually diminish late Sunday.
A flash flood watch was allowed to expire Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. But a coastal hazard message with a high surf warning and small craft advisory with a gale warning will remain in effect until Sunday.
The unsettled atmospheric system began dousing the northern reaches of the county late Thursday and moved steadily south Friday morning and afternoon.
The gusty winds caused problems in various communities. In Hillcrest and University City, toppled trees blocked sections of state Route 163 late Friday morning and Interstate 5 late Friday afternoon.
In Pacific Beach, downed electrical cables forced the closure of part of Dawes Street, authorities said. No injuries were reported. Rainfall rates exceeding a half inch an hour continued through the late evening.
Rain totals over a 48-hour period ending noon Saturday along the coastal areas of San Diego County included 1.39 inches of precipitation in San Onofre, 1.53 in Oceanside, 1.46 in Carlsbad, 1.38 in Fallbrook, 1.20 in Solana Beach, 0.98 in Point Loma, 1.14 in Chula Vista, 1.15 in Mission Beach and 1.25 in Kearny Mesa.
Some of the valley rain totals included 1.46 at Miramar Lake, 1.22 in San Marcos, 1.05 in Mission Valley, 1.33 in Rancho Bernardo, 1.60 in Escondido, 1.10 in Santee, 1.29 in Valley Center, 1.41 on Mount Woodson, 1.28 in La Mesa, 1.00 in El Cajon and Ramona, and .093 in Alpine.
Partly cloudy skies will prevail through most of next week, with a slight chance of showers in some locales on Monday and Wednesday, according to the weather service.
City News Service contributed to this post.
