Santa Ana Winds Give Way to New Year’s Eve–Day Rain in San Diego County

Overview

• A Wind Advisory remains in effect through 1 p.m. Tuesday for mountains and wind‑prone valleys with gusts of 55 to 60 mph, as localized peaks over 70 mph were reported at Big Black Mountain and Sill Hill.
• Santa Ana winds will keep Tuesday unseasonably warm, with highs in the mid to upper 70s near the coast and inland while recent rainfall keeps fire danger low.
• Rain is forecast to start Wednesday with light showers and become widespread and locally heavy Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with spotty showers lingering through Thursday.
• Forecast totals range from about 1 to 1.5 inches along the coast and in the valleys and up to roughly 2.25 inches in the mountains, with deserts generally under one‑half inch and a risk of ponding and localized roadway flooding after New Year celebrations.
• A lull is expected Friday before a weaker system brings scattered showers Saturday with a slight chance into Sunday, as snow levels trend down toward 6,500 feet by Sunday with minimal lower‑elevation accumulation.