The downpours that flooded some already slick roadways around San Diego County and the strong, gusty winds in the mountains and deserts will persist most of Friday as a Pacific storm moves through the region.
In a 24-hour period ending at about 7 a.m., automated gauges in the mountains collected 3.31 inches of rain in Birch Hill; 2.70 at the Palomar Observatory; 1.57 in Pine Hills; 1.44 in Descanso; 1.38 at Lake Cuyamaca; 1.28 in Julian; 1.25 on Mt. Laguna; and lesser amounts in numerous other locales.
Elsewhere in the county, 1.47 inches of rain was recorded at Camp Pendleton; 1.30 at San Onofre; 1.24 in Fallbrook; 1.19 on Mt. Woodson; 1.13 in Encinitas and Vista; 1.11 in Solana Beach; 1.10 in Carlsbad; 1.09 in Alpine; 1.05 in Valley Center; .77 at Lindbergh Field; .55 in San Ysidro; and .09 in Borrego Springs, according to provisional data from the National Weather Service.
Weather is causing some delays, please check with airline for most up-to-date flight status. ☔️
— San Diego Airport (@SanDiegoAirport) December 16, 2016
The occasionally heavy rain caused flooding in several areas throughout the county. In Spring Valley, Quarry Road was closed between state Route 125 and Lakeview Road due to water in the roadway, according to the county Department of Public Works.
In the city of San Diego, flooding was reported on Mission Road near the San Diego River, on Sorrento Valley and Carmel Mountain roads, in the 4800 block of Santa Fe Street, on Cass Street and Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach, and on Avenida Del Rio South near Fashion Valley Mall.
Roadway flooding was also reported on Old River Road at state Route 76 in Bonsall, rocks, dirt or mud were clogging state Route 78 at Wynola Road north of Alpine, Mountain Drive at Gavilan Mountain north of Fallbrook and on South Grade Road near Deland Drive near Alpine, according to the California Highway Patrol. A slew oft crashes were also reported on roadways around the county.
The showers are expected to begin tapering off later Friday as the moisture exits to the east, "leaving residual showers only in the mountains this afternoon," forecasters said. The gusty winds that have been whipping though the region will also die down.
A NWS high wind warning for the mountains and deserts is set to expire at 8 p.m. Winds of 20 to 40 miles per hour will be possible, along with gusts of up to 60 in some locations, possibly in the Anza-Borrego Desert, and to 80 mph on mountain ridgetops.
Around 7 a.m., the weather service reported a peak gust of 70 mph on Volcan Mountain.
Forecasters said the gusty winds may kick up dust and sand in some areas, skewing visibility.
"Strong winds can make driving difficult, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles and vehicles towing trailers," according to the weather service. "Winds this strong may down trees and power lines and cause property damage."
A less severe wind advisory for the coast is set to take effect at 3 p.m. and extend until 2 a.m. Saturday. Winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts to 35 mph are expected during the advisory period.
