Women walk along La Jolla Shores Beach in the rain. Photo by Chris Stone
A rainstorm was expected to hit San Diego County Monday, with scattered light showers arriving along the coast around rush hour Monday morning and heavier showers to follow midday as a cold front sweeps from the coast and into the mountains.
Peak rainfall rates could reach .5 inch per hour, but the band will move quickly so flooding issues, if any, would be localized, the National Weather Service said.
Here is the latest greatest forecast for precipitation across the region for the storm today into Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/EUOKeLX4HZ
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) March 28, 2022
A break may develop Monday afternoon, except along the coastal slopes of the mountains, where upslope flow may support continued rain and high elevation snowfall.
Another area of widespread showers could develop after 4 p.m. as much colder air aloft destabilizes the atmosphere. There could be a few thunderstorms as well.
Heavy rainfall rates of 0.50 to 0.75 an inch per hour were possible, but should be isolated. River flooding was unlikely since the hours of rain were expected to be limited, but the smaller creeks and streams may swell and overflow their banks where heavier rainfall rates are concentrated. Urban flooding was a threat as well in poorly drained areas.
Scattered showers could continue through Monday night, with lighter rainfall overall. Any heavy snowfall was expected to be above 6,000 feet.
High temperatures along the coast Monday are predicted to reach 63 to 68 along the coast, 61 to 66 in the valleys, 53 to 61 in the mountains and 77 to 82 in the deserts.
Along coastal waters Monday, wind gusts may reach or exceed 25 knots at times. Gusty winds combined with rough, choppy seas could lead to conditions hazardous to small craft. A longer period swell may develop Monday night into Tuesday, which with the wind waves, could result in combined seas close to 10 feet in the outer waters. Conditions should improve on Wednesday.
At area beaches, a longer period west swell was likely to develop Monday night and continue through Tuesday. This could bring elevated surf of 6-8 feet along with enhanced risks for rip currents. The surf was likely to subside Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Updated at 7:40 a.m., Monday, March 28, 2022
City News Service contributed to this report.