A storm that soaked parts of San Diego County is expected to taper off later Friday but a more powerful system will likely bring intense periods of rains and possibly thunderstorms over the weekend.
The first in a series of storms hit the region Thursday.
Areas that received some of the highest precipitation amounts over a 48- hour period ending at 8 a.m. Friday, included Mount Laguna with .59 of an inch; Alpine with .57 of an inch; Santee and Lake Cuyamaca with .56 of an inch each; Descanso with .53 of an inch; .49 of an inch at Miramar Lake; .45 of an inch in Poway; .43 of an inch in Encinitas; and .37 of an inch at Lindbergh Field, according to provisional National Weather Service data from automated gauges.
The rain and resulting slick roads also contributed to an increase in the number of traffic crashes.
The California Highway Patrol logged 353 crashes in San Diego County Thursday. On a typical day without inclement weather, the agency responds to an average of 140 wrecks on local highways and in unincorporated areas.
In Rancho Bernardo Thursday morning, a bicyclist skidded in the water that accumulated on Paseo Del Verano Norte and suffered a leg fracture, according to San Diego police.
Forecasters said the rain would continue falling Friday, but will weaken Friday night into Saturday morning. The next in the series of storms will be stronger and colder, and "is poised to deliver a round of heavier showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms."
Rainfall over the weekend is expected to range from three-quarters of an inch at the coast to 1.75 inches in the mountains, with lesser amounts in the deserts, according to the weather service.
The "parade of storms" will continue into early next week, forecasters said.
"A weaker storm system expected Monday will likely extend the cool weather and showers most of next week," according to the weather service.
