Showers will decrease today with areas of strong gusty south to southwest winds subsiding for the coast and valleys this morning and diminishing some for the mountains and deserts for this afternoon and evening. Another Pacific storm will bring another round of strong gusty winds for Thursday and Thursday night along with more showers, but with lesser accumulations. The weekend with be drier with high temperatures warming through Monday. Model guidance has trended drier for early next week.
For extreme southwestern California including Orange, San Diego, western Riverside and southwestern San Bernardino counties,
(today through Friday), The latest round of widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms have been moving southeastward across the area overnight with additional rainfall since late Tuesday ranging from around 0.50 inch near the coast to 1.5 to 2 inches is the mountains with locally greater amounts on the coastal slopes of the eastern San Gabriel Mountains with rainfall to around 5 inches. The snow level will lower to around 3500 to 4000 feet this morning with additional snowfall since late Tuesday of 1 to 2 feet above 6000 feet and around 3 at 6 inches at 5000 feet.
Similar to Monday, there were strong south to southwest winds ahead of the cold front, generally stronger than those on Monday. Precipitation amounts have been generally less, except on the coastal slopes of the San Bernardino County mountains, and snow levels have been around 500 feet lower.
The next system will move southeastward across the area on Thursday into Thursday evening. Precipitation amounts are expected to be less than for either of the first two rounds this week with snow levels similar to today. Winds for the mountains and deserts may be similar to the first two rounds, but not quite as strong for the coast and valleys.
(Saturday through Tuesday), The weekend with be drier with high temperatures warming through Monday to around 5 degrees above average on Monday. Model guidance has trended drier for early next week with fewer ensemble members supporting precipitation for the middle and latter part of next week.
180500z, Coast/Valleys, SCT/BKN low clouds based 3000-5000 ft MSL currently through the coastal basin will fill in and lower to 2000- 3000 ft MSL through the early morning as precip moves in from the northwest. Strengthening south to southwest winds will gust 25-35 kts through the basin (isolated gusts over 40 kts at the coastline) after 06Z ahead of a main band of moderate to heavy precipitation. This band is expected to sweep through from northwest to southeast from 09-16Z bringing widespread MVFR cigs/vis with intermittent IFR conditions expected in heavier showers. Slight chance (10-20%) for TSRA within the main band. Winds turn west and slowly weaken, thereafter, with generally VFR conditions expected. ISO-SCT -SHRA may briefly create MVFR cigs/vis through the day, especially in San Diego County.
Mountains/Deserts, RA is currently spreading into San Bernardino County ahead of the next storm system. Precip will continue to increase in coverage and intensity overnight as another line of moderate to heavy precip sweeps northeast to southwest across the area. Mountains shrouded in FG through Wednesday morning. Intermittent MVFR vis due to RA in the High Desert 09-13Z. Additionally, strong south to southwest winds will continue to strengthen this evening with widespread gusts up to 35-45 kts after 06Z. Gusts to 60 kts along desert slopes of the mtns with isolated gusts exceeding 65 kts along the slopes in San Diego County. Areas BLDU (vis 3-5SM) and moderate to strong up/downdrafts in the lee of mtns. Precip will slowly come to an end from north to south from 12- 18Z (except for persistent -SHRA/SHSN along coastal slopes) with winds turning westerly, but remaining elevated (strong along eastern facing slopes) through 00Z Thu.
Winds continue strengthening tonight with winds frequently gusting to 35 kts after midnight. Hazardous boating conditions expected with steep seas building to 11-13 feet. Check the Gale Warning for more details. Winds slowly weaken through late Wednesday morning. After another lull, strong winds will redevelop Thursday, likely producing hazardous conditions once again. Conditions will improve by Friday.
High surf of 4 to 9 feet is expected, with sets as high as 11 feet, highest in San Diego County on Wednesday. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion can be expected. A High Surf Advisory is in effect through Friday and contains more details.
Ca, High Surf Advisory until 10 PM PST Friday for Orange County Coastal Areas-San Diego County Coastal Areas.
Wind Advisory until 8 AM PST this morning for Orange County Coastal Areas-Orange County Inland Areas-San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire-San Diego County Coastal Areas-San Diego County Valleys-Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills.
Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST Thursday for Riverside County Mountains-San Bernardino County Mountains.
Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM PST Thursday for San Diego County Mountains.
Wind Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon for Apple and Lucerne Valleys-Coachella Valley-San Diego County Deserts- San Gorgonio Pass near Banning.
PZ, Gale Warning until 1 PM PST this afternoon for Coastal Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 10 nm- Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border Extending 10 to 60 nm out including San Clemente Island.
