Dry conditions and slightly warmer temperatures are in the forecast for San Diego County on Sunday before rain and mountain snow arrive early next week, the National Weather Service said.
“After a chilly start, it will be a Sunny and mild day to round out the weekend,” the weather service said.
Highs on Sunday will be around 64 near the coast, 62 to 67 inland, 54 to 61 in the mountains, and 65 to 70 in the deserts.
Significant rain and snow were expected to hit California early next week, forecasters said. A storm system was predicted to move into central California on Sunday and Monday, progressing south into Southern California early Tuesday, while tapping into some atmospheric river moisture.
“The heaviest precipitation is looking to occur Tuesday afternoon and evening, ahead of and along the cold front,” the weather service said.
Slight chances of thunderstorms remain in the forecast for areas over and west of the mountains Tuesday afternoon and evening.
The coast and valleys were predicted to see 1 to 2 inches of rain, mountains 2 to 4 inches, and the deserts 0.25 to 1 inch.
“Snow levels will initially be around 5,500 feet as the storm approaches late Monday night, then increasing to 6,000-7,000 feet as the warm portion of the storm moves over us Tuesday morning and afternoon,” forecasters said.
Once the cold front passes Tuesday evening, snow levels were predicted to rapidly drop to 3,500 feet, though precipitation will be more scattered.
The highest snow amounts were expected to be seen at elevations above 7,000 feet, where potentially 1 to 2 feet of snow could fall. Between 5,000- 7,000 feet, 4 to 12 inches of snow was expected. Below 5,000 feet, a trace to 4 inches was possible.
Strong winds were forecast to accompany the storm from the coast to the deserts Monday night through Wednesday morning.
Southerly winds were predicted to increase Monday evening ahead of and along the cold front, then turn westerly once the cold front passes Tuesday evening. Stronger than normal winds were expected in these areas.
Winds were expected to be particularly strong in the mountains and on the desert slopes, with gusts to 70 mph possible.
Peak wind gusts along the coast and in the valleys could reach or exceed 35 mph.
Once the cold front passes Tuesday evening, precipitation was expected to be more scattered through Wednesday morning. Showers were predicted to taper off from northwest to southeast Wednesday morning.
City News Service contributed to this article.
