Rainfall was starting to roll into the San Diego area Tuesday morning as part of a new wave of storms expected throughout the week, according to the National Weather Service.
Clouds were thickening with partly and mostly cloudy skies expected to blanket Southern California on Tuesday, growing denser as the frontal system over the eastern Pacific approaches the area.
Most areas will see a half inch to an inch of rain on Tuesday, according to the weather service. Snow is likely for the higher elevations.
A pop-up ridge will provide a brief reprieve from the rain as it moves over the area Tuesday afternoon, forecasters said.
However, a powerful storm system is expected to start Wednesday and continue through Friday, forecasters said. Up to six inches of rain are expected in some areas. The heaviest rainfall is expected to occur late Wednesday through Thursday morning.
Wind advisories and warnings are likely Wednesday into Thursday, according to the weather service.
Health officials are warning people to avoid entering ocean water near discharging storm drains or rivers due to possible bacterial infection. A water contact warning issued Sunday for the Coronado shoreline by the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality remained in effect Monday.
As south swell conditions continued to push ocean water from the south to the north across the U.S-Mexico border, beachgoers were advised that bacteria levels exceed state health standards and ocean water may contain sewage and cause illness.
Health officials note that stormwater runoff that reaches the ocean can carry bacteria, chemicals, debris trash and other health hazards. People who come in contact with impacted water in the ocean could become ill, health officials said.
Temperatures are expected to be cool throughout the week, with highs in the 50s and 60s in most areas.
Updated 7:40 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023
City News Service contributed to this article