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Environment

Winter Storm Brings Wind, Rain To San Diego County

A National Weather Service satellite image of San Diego County, Jan. 12, 2017.
National Weather Service
A National Weather Service satellite image of San Diego County, Jan. 12, 2017.

The last and strongest in a series of winter storms to hit San Diego County will bring heavy rain at times throughout the day Thursday, a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms and snow down to around 4,500 feet on Friday.

Rain started falling in parts of Southern California during the early morning hours. Between 12:15 and 6:15 a.m., the storm dropped .04 of an inch of rain at a site on the La Jolla Reservation; .02 of an inch at Harbison Canyon, Miramar Lake, on Mount Laguna and in Tierra Del Sol; and .01 of an inch in Alpine, De Luz, Dulzura, Point Loma, Rancho Bernardo, San Marcos, Scripps Ranch, University Heights and Valley Center, according to the National Weather Service. No rain was reported yet in the deserts.

Forecasters said showers may become heavy at times during the afternoon. A slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms is also in the forecast for the beaches and valleys.

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Rainfall amounts expected in Southern California from the latest bout of inclement weather range from less than a quarter-inch in the deserts to about a half-inch in coastal areas to an inch or more in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters predicted the weather system would drop .18 of an inch of rain in Borrego Springs; .40 in San Diego; .46 in Oceanside; .51 in Escondido; .55 in the Miramar area; .64 in Alpine; .67 in Ramona; .77 in Julian; .90 on Mount Laguna; and .92 on Palomar Mountain.

The snow level is expected to drop to 4,500 feet Friday and about an inch of fresh powder could accumulate. Forecasters said heavy snowfall would be confined to the highest peaks.

At the beaches, morning high tides peaking at about 6.7 to 6.8 feet combined with higher than average surf will up the risk for minor tidal overflow in low-lying areas such as parking lots and beach adjacent boardwalks, forecasters said.

A beach hazards statement warning of such will expire at 10 a.m. Affected areas may include the Strand in Oceanside, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, La Jolla Shores and Imperial Beach.

Forecasters said rain showers may linger into Friday in most areas and into Saturday in the mountains. High pressure will bring drier weather and a warming trend early next week.