A winter weather warning is in effect for parts of San Diego County’s mountain communities, with heavy snow and windy conditions expected Thursday.
The rest of the county will be cool, with scattered showers, said the National Weather Service’s San Diego office.
“Showers will decrease for late tonight and Friday,” the NWS said. “Dry and warmer for the weekend, then a pair of low pressure systems could bring additional precipitation next week for Monday into Tuesday and for Wednesday into Thursday.”
Coastal areas throughout the county can expect between 0.5 and 0.7 inches, while inland valleys and surrounding areas could see between 0.7 and 1 inch.
Mountain areas can expect between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain. However, higher elevation areas could see at least 2 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
The winter weather warning for Pine Valley and Alpine will be in effect until 10 a.m. Friday with wet snow and up to 5 inches of snow above elevations of 4,000 feet in the forecast.
A wind advisory will be in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday for county deserts.
Due to strong winds and hazardous road conditions, schools in Mountain Empire Unified School District will be closed Thursday for the safety of students and staff members, according to San Diego County Office of Education.
Forecasters are warning drivers to plan for slippery road conditions and hazardous conditions which could affect commutes through Friday.
Additionally, beach hazard alerts will also be in effect through late Thursday night for coastal areas.
The rest of the week looks fairly cool, with daytime temperatures in the low 60s for the coast and valleys, mid-40s in the mountains and the mid-60s to low 70s for the deserts.
Thursday’s San Diego surf forecast includes a high-risk rip current, with surf from 3 to 6, sets to 7 feet, water temperature 58 to 60 and swell from 270 degrees.
Marine forecasters said northwest winds of 20 to 25 knots with some gusts exceeding 30 knots and seas 9 to 14 feet will lead to hazardous boating conditions.
“Stronger westerly winds and higher seas will arrive Wednesday night and continue into Friday morning,” the NWS said.
City News Service contributed to this report.
