A second wave of a lingering Pacific storm brought strong winds, heavy rain, and even snow to San Diego County, impacting travel and causing delays. The storm's arrival was marked by 76 mph winds on Palomar Mountain, 50 mph gusts along the coast, and heavy rainfall in cities like Escondido and Valley Center. Lightning strikes were reported near Miramar, and Mount Laguna continued to experience snowfall, potentially accumulating up to a foot of snow by the end of the day, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather's impact extended to San Diego International Airport, where 40 flights were delayed by 9 a.m. The storm also made freeways slippery during the morning rush hour. Additionally, the Blue Line Trolleys faced delays due to a fallen tree near the E Street Station in Chula Vista, affecting commuters.
Forecasters predicted that skies would gradually clear in North County, followed by South County, but a third, less intense wave of wind and rain was expected on Thursday. The overnight rain totals through 7 a.m. were substantial, with Julian recording 1.31 inches, Descanso 0.94 inches, Ramona 0.71 inches, and Black Mountain 0.85 inches, among other locations.
The strong winds posed challenges for high-profile vehicles, leading to a no-school day in the Mountain Empire Unified School District. San Diego's total precipitation for the day approached 1.5 inches, significantly reducing the risk of wildfires in a typically dry region. The city's annual average precipitation of 9.79 inches was just 0.63 inches away from being reached.
A fire sparked by lightning strikes early Tuesday in San Pasqual Valley destroyed over 100 palm trees, charring approximately 2 acres. Firefighters from Escondido, San Diego, and Cal Fire swiftly contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures.
As the storm moved eastward, the rain was expected to clear by Friday, but forecaster Adam Roser warned that a new storm could be on the horizon as early as next Monday, keeping the region on alert for potential weather impacts throughout February.
