Winter Storm Could Bring Snow to Mountains; See Santee Forecast

A cold front associated with a winter storm will move across Southern California Friday, bringing moderate to heavy rain, gusty winds and a chance of thunderstorms and snow to San Diego County, forecasters said (see Santee forecast below).
  
The heaviest precipitation will occur between 10 a.m. and noon, According to National Weather Service meteorologist Philip Gonsalves.

After that, showers will linger throughout the afternoon, he said.

Gonsalves estimated rainfall totals from the storm will range anywhere from four-tenths of an inch to more than 2 inches in the county.

The weather service scheduled a winter storm warning for mountain areas above 4,000 feet, from 2 this afternoon to 11 a.m. Saturday. That includes Boulevard, Cameron, Campo, Cuyamaca, Descanso, Julian, Lake Henshaw, Morena Village, Mount Laguna, Oak Grove, Pine Hills, Pine Valley, Ranchita, Santa Ysabel and Warner Springs.

During the winter storm warning, 1 to 4 inches of snow accumulation is possible at 4,000 feet; three to six inches between 4,500 and 5,000 feet; and 6 to 10 inches above 5,000 feet.

A wind advisory is scheduled for coastal and valley areas from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., when 35- to 45-mile per hour gusts are expected.

In the deserts, where 25 mph to 35 mph winds gusting up to 60 mph are expected, a high wind warning is scheduled from 11 Friday morning to 11 a.m. Saturday.

The storm is also expected to create heavy seas off the coast. A small craft advisory is scheduled from noon through Saturday evening. During the advisory
period, the Weather Service expects wind gusts over coastal waters will be in excess of 25 knots and combined seas will be around 10 feet.

NWS Weekend Forecast for Santee

Today: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 64. Southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. West wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

—City News Service