A series of strong Pacific storms are expected to bring high surf and strong rip currents to the San Diego County coastline starting Friday, and rain, wind and snow early next week.
A National Weather Service high surf advisory will remain in effect from 10 a.m. Friday until 4 p.m. Tuesday. Waves of 5 to 7 feet with sets of up to 10 feet are expected Friday and Saturday followed by 6- to 10- foot surf and sets of 12 to 15 feet Sunday night through Tuesday.
Forecasters said the first of two distinct periods of large swells and surf will start to affect the beaches Friday morning, peak Friday night and gradually diminish Saturday. The second will begin Sunday and increase greatly on Monday before weakening Tuesday.
"These swells will produce high surf at the beaches, with strong rip currents and dangerous swimming conditions," according to a weather service statement. "The high surf may also cause coastal flooding and beach erosion, especially Sunday night through Tuesday."
The waves may be high enough to top jetties or sea walls. Moderate coastal flooding and beach erosion will also be possible with the second swell Sunday night through Tuesday, forecasters said.
As the second swell begins to ramp up off the coast Sunday, stormy weather will start to develop elsewhere in the county.
"Cooling, increasing clouds and gusty winds along with significant rain and heavy high elevation snow are in the forecast, as a cold front moves through the region Sunday, with a strong short-wave trough moving through on Monday," according to the weather service.
Light to moderate rain showers are expected to begin near the coast and spread to the east Sunday morning before initially tapering off Sunday afternoon and evening, according to the weather service. But a more potent storm will follow with heavier precipitation, possible thunderstorms and mountain snow starting early Monday.
Forecasters said the two storms could drop up to 3 inches of rain in the mountains along with several inches to more than a foot of snow, 1 to 1 1/5 inches of rain near the beaches and in the valleys, but less than half an inch of rain in the deserts. The snow level is expected to drop from elevations of around 6,500 feet Sunday to 5,000 feet Monday.
Drier weather will likely prevail Tuesday through Thursday, but another storm is expected late next week.
