Wet and windy weather came to San Diego County today, bringing snow at the higher elevations.
By 7 a.m., snow had fallen on both sides of Interstate 8 at Sunrise Highway, and across the entire length of Sunrise Highway, according to the California Highway Patrol, which sent snow plows to clear a path for motorists.
Hail was reported in the East County as far inland as El Cajon.
Despite rain-slick roadways elsewhere in the county, there was not a significant spike in traffic accidents during the morning commute. The CHP said it received 20 accident reports between 4 and 8 a.m. In good weather, agency usually receives between 50 and 75 reports over a full 24-hour period.
The National Weather Service said today's weather was due to a late-season storm that originated in the Gulf of Alaska. The agency said it would likely drop up to an inch of rain west of the mountains through Thursday, and up to 2 inches on coastal mountain slopes. One or two inches of snow was forecast for elevations of more than 4,500 feet, according to the NWS.
Strong winds with gusts up to 45 mph were likely in coastal and valley areas this afternoon, while up to 50 mph gusts were expected in the mountains and deserts, said the NWS.
A wind advisory issued Tuesday by the agency for the mountains and deserts was scheduled to remain in effect until 5 p.m. today. The NWS said a wind advisory for coastal and valley areas would go in effect at 8 a.m. today and remain in effect until 5 p.m.
There will also be a high rip current risk today, with 5-6 foot surf.
"High, very strong currents and dangerous swimming conditions are expected," according to a NWS statement.
Forecasters said temperatures today would peak in the low 60s along the coast, low 50s to low 60s in the valleys, high 40s in the mountains, and mid 60s in the deserts.
