A very cold storm front from southwestern Canada, expected to generate single-digit temperatures, rain, gusty winds and mountain snow, was headed for San Diego County Monday.
The National Weather Service issued a 24-hour winter storm warning for mountain areas, valleys and deserts higher than 2,000 feet starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The snow level is expected to drop to between 2,500 and 2,000 feet Tuesday night, and down to around 1,000 feet in certain areas. Up to a foot of snow could accumulate in some mountain areas, according to the NWS.
The warning includes Boulevard, Campo, Cuyamaca, Descanso, Julian, Lake Henshaw, Morena Village, Mount Laguna, Oak Grove, Pine Valley, Potrero, Santa Ysabel and Warner Springs. Snow is also possible around Alpine, which has an elevation of 1,834 feet. Forecasters said Borrego Springs and Ocotillo Wells were not included in the warning.
"A very cold storm originating from Canada will bring low elevation snow to Southern California late Tuesday through Wednesday," according to the weather service. "Snow levels will fall rapidly to around 2,000 feet, and may fall as low as 1,000 feet in some areas. Heavy snow is likely in the mountains."
Forecasters said snow and ice from the storm would cause "major travel problems," which could include delays and closures, on mountain roadways and in higher desert areas.
Travel on Interstate 8 could also be affected, because blowing snow may reduce visibility to less than half a mile. Travelers who brave the cold were advised to keep an extra flashlight, food, clothing or blankets and water in their vehicles.
Single-digit temperatures are expected in the mountains, but wind chill values may fall below zero at times, forecasters said. Temperatures in the deserts could bottom out in the teens.
Rain is likely Tuesday evening along the coast and in some lower valley areas, forecasters said. Sustained northwest winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts in excess of 50 mph are also expected.
