Severe Thunderstorm Warning 1, NWS San Diego, CA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Diego CA
934 AM PDT Tue Mar 21 2023

.SYNOPSIS...
Widespread rain, that will be heavy at times, is expected through
much of today, along with strong potentially damaging winds. Snow is
expected in the mountains, with snow levels rising to 6000-7000 ft
(lower end in the San Bernardino mtns, higher end in the San Diego
mtns) this morning, before falling to 4000-4500 ft by Wednesday
morning. Periods of rain and mountain snow will continue through
Wednesday. Dry, breezy, with continued cool weather prevails
after Thursday through next weekend. Another low pressure system
from the northwest could bring more precipitation some time around
the early to middle part of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING ORANGE...
SAN DIEGO...WESTERN RIVERSIDE AND SOUTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO
COUNTIES...

Forecast Details:
*Strong, potentially damaging winds are expected today into
 Wednesday from the coastal waters to the deserts.
*Periods of heavy rain and snow for much of today into Wednesday.
*Dry conditions expected to return by Thursday.

Current radar is showing widespread rain over and west of the
mountains into portions of the deserts. Current rain rates have been
mostly 0.10 to 0.20 of an inch per hour with a few local cells
producing rates of 0.30 inches per hour. Southerly winds are
increasing along the coast and in the mountains. Peak wind gusts
have been 30-40 mph at the coast and 50-65 mph in the mountains.
A rainfall summary and a wind gust summary have both been
headlined on our weather.gov/sandiego homepage.

The Hydrology section below outlines the rainfall and potential
impacts through the day and into Wednesday. As far as snowfall
goes, snow levels have been around 4500-5000 ft this morning. Snow
levels are expected to rise later this morning as southerly flow
increases. Snow levels will get as high has 6000-7000 ft this
afternoon. Snow levels on the higher end are expected in San Diego
county mountains with snow levels on the lower end expected in
San Bernardino county mountains. Snow levels this afternoon fall
to around 5000-5500 feet and 4000 feet for late tonight. The snow
level will then fluctuate around 4500 feet for Wednesday afternoon
and evening. Snowfall will be measured in feet above 6000 feet
with 4 feet or more possible on the higher peaks above 7500 feet.

South winds will continue to strengthen this morning ahead of a cold
front. Gusts could peak around 50-60 mph near the coast. Winds
will become southwesterly this afternoon and evening after the
front passes. Very strong winds are expected in along the lower
slopes of the San Bernardino county mountains with isolated gusts
near 90-100 mph through the afternoon. Winds will peak in strength
today for areas west of the mountains. Along the desert slopes of
the mountains in San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego
Counties, strong winds will continue into Wednesday morning.

Wednesday is expected to be the coolest day. Drying for Thursday
with high temperatures around 5 degrees warmer than Wednesday.
Another low pressure system from the northwest could bring more
precipitation some time around the early to middle part of next
week. Stay tuned for more details in the coming days.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...

Widespread rain this morning will continue through the day today.
Two main rounds of precipitation are expected, the first is ongoing
and expected to continue into the early afternoon. The second is
expected early this evening and will continue into the overnight
hours. There could be a break in precipitation especially for
locations away from the mountains in between these two waves this
afternoon. To see how much rain has fallen so far, check out our
rainfall summary on our weather.gov/sandiego homepage.

Rainfall rates are expected to peak at 0.50-0.60 inches per hour,
with rates of 0.70-0.90 inches per hour on south to southwest facing
slopes this morning. Peak rainfall rates for the second wave will
be similar for the coast and valleys, with rates in the mountains
closer to 0.50-0.60 inches per hour. With the second wave, there
are chances of thunderstorms through Wednesday morning.

Rainfall and liquid equivalent below the snow level will range from
1.5 to 2 inches near the coast, 1.5-3 inches in the valleys, 4 to 7
inches in the mountains, 0.10-0.50 inches in the lower deserts, and
0.50-1 inch in the High Desert.

The San Diego River and Santa Margarita River are both forecast to
reach minor flood stage by this evening for the Santa Margarita
river and early Wednesday morning for the San Diego river. Below the
snow level significant runoff is expected, which could contribute to
local flooding issues especially at low-water crossings and in
poorly drained urban areas. Flooding of low-water crossings is
expected in Fashion Valley. Other areas of concern will be the
Whitewater River and Coachella Canal in the Coachella Valley, as
well as the Tijuana River watershed.

&&

.AVIATION...
211610Z...Coast/Valleys/Mountains...BKN-OVC clouds with bases mostly
1500-3500 ft MSL, with RA and mountain SN this morning. Bases
locally lowering to 900-1400 ft MSL with VIS 1-3SM. After 18Z,
decreasing RA/SN will occur with bases rising to 2000-3500 ft MSL.
Widespread terrain obscurations will prevail through tonight. South
winds will strengthen this morning with surface gusts 25-45 knots
coast/valleys and 35-65 knots mountains, weakening a little after
19Z. -SHRA and -SHSN will continue through tonight with some cloud
breaks and bases varying between 1500-3000 feet MSL and mostly
unrestricted VIS.

Deserts...Southwest winds on desert mountain slopes and locally into
the deserts, with peak gusts 40-55 kt this morning. Moderate
up/downdrafts and LLWS expected over/northeast of the mountains. RA
will occur in the deserts through 21Z with BKN-OVC bases 3000-5000
ft MSL. More scattered -SHRA and clouds lifting this afternoon above
5000 ft MSL.

&&

.MARINE...
A pacific storm will bring southerly gales and hazardous seas into
Wednesday. There is a chance of thunderstorms and waterspouts
tonight and Wednesday morning. Check the Gale Warning for details
and stay tuned for any special marine weather bulletins that may be
issued. Winds and seas will gradually subside late Wednesday.
Northwest winds will increase again for Thursday through Saturday in
the outer waters, which would bring more hazardous winds and choppy
conditions.

&&

.BEACHES...
A storm will bring large short-period swells and surf tonight
through Thursday. Breakers will range from 4 to 8 feet, with sets up
to 12 feet in southern San Diego County. This will produce hazardous
swimming conditions and local beach erosion. Swell and surf should
subside Thursday. Check the High surf advisory for details.

&&

.SKYWARN...
Skywarn activation is not requested. However weather spotters are
encouraged to report significant weather conditions.

&&

.SGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Flood Watch through Wednesday evening for San Diego County
     Coastal Areas-San Diego County Mountains-San Diego County
     Valleys.

     High Wind Warning until midnight PDT tonight for Orange County
     Coastal Areas-Orange County Inland Areas-San Diego County
     Coastal Areas-Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills.

     High Surf Advisory from 2 AM Wednesday to 9 PM PDT Thursday for
     San Diego County Coastal Areas.

     Flood Watch through Wednesday afternoon for Orange County
     Coastal Areas-Orange County Inland Areas-Riverside County
     Mountains-San Bernardino County Mountains-San Bernardino
     and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire-San Gorgonio
     Pass Near Banning-Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills.

     Wind Advisory until 10 PM PDT this evening for San Bernardino
     and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire.

     Wind Advisory until midnight PDT tonight for San Diego County
     Valleys.

     Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM PDT Wednesday for Riverside
     County Mountains-San Bernardino County Mountains.

     High Wind Warning until 6 PM PDT this evening for San Diego
     County Mountains.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 10 PM PDT
     Wednesday for San Diego County Mountains.

     High Wind Warning until noon PDT Wednesday for Apple and Lucerne
     Valleys-San Diego County Deserts-San Gorgonio Pass Near
     Banning.

     Wind Advisory until 10 PM PDT this evening for Coachella Valley.

     High Surf Advisory from 2 AM Wednesday to 9 AM PDT Thursday for
     Orange County Coastal Areas.

PZ...Gale Warning until 9 AM PDT Wednesday for Coastal Waters from
     San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 30 nm-
     Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border Extending
     30 to 60 nm out including San Clemente Island.

&&

PUBLIC/HYDROLOGY...CO
AVIATION/MARINE/BEACHES...PG

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
901 AM PDT TUE MAR 21 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0810 AM     SNOW             5 N FOREST FALLS        34.16N 116.92W
03/21/2023  E2.0 INCH        SAN BERNARDINO     CA   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            VEHICLE STUCK IN SNOW ON SR 38. CHAIN
            CONTROL IN EFFECT.

&&

AOT

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
903 AM PDT TUE MAR 21 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0822 AM     SNOW             2 W LAKE ARROWHEAD      34.24N 117.23W
03/21/2023  M4.0 INCH        SAN BERNARDINO     CA   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            VEHICLE STUCK IN SNOW LAKE FOREST DRIVE AT
            ROSE LANE.

&&

AOT

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
906 AM PDT TUE MAR 21 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0630 AM     SNOW             2 W CRESTLINE           34.25N 117.33W
03/21/2023  M3.0 INCH        SAN BERNARDINO     CA   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            WATERS DRRVE AND CREST FOREST DRIVE VEHICLE
            STUCK IN SNOW BUT HAS CHAINS ON.

&&

AOT

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
943 AM PDT TUE MAR 21 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0900 AM     FLOOD            6 NNE TEMECULA          33.57N 117.11W
03/21/2023                   RIVERSIDE          CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            FLOODING ON STREETS AND MODERATE RUNOFF IN
            THE FOOTHILLS, SIGNIFICANT PUDDLING IN
            PARKING LOTS. 0.80 INCHES OF RAIN PAST 6
            HOURS.

&&

AOT