August 25, 2013 (Borrego) --A flash flood watch has been elevated to a flash flood warning today for north and central areas of East County, where heavy rain and flash flooding is occurring. Heaviest rains are from Shelter Valley north to Borrego Springs, including areas burned by the Vallecito Fire and Banner fire.
Debris flows and flooding are occurring in these areas. A SIG ALERT has been issued for Highway 78, which has been shut down in the San Felipe/Monument Valley area, where boulders have washed into the roadway. At Tarantula Wash, one-way traffic controls will remain in effect for several days until roadway repairs can be done, according to the CHP website.
Campgrounds may be impacted by flash floods and debris flows. Excessive runoff will also cause flooding of small creeks, streams, country roads and farmlands nearby.
A flash flood warning remains in effect for a broader area in our local mountains and deserts. Monitor the news to learn if this becomes elevated to a flash flood warning, which means flooding is eminent or occurring.
“Today we had the worst flash flooding we have seen in years,” Bob Kutscher, a resident of Borrego Springs on Velite Drive, a main floodway for the Hellhole Canyon watershed wrote in an e-mail to ECM. Here is a video that he shot of the flash flood on his roadway this afternoon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky2fhdoiHpA.
August 24, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast for mountain and desert areas in East County. A flash flood watch has been issued from Sunday morning through Monday evening.
In addition, debris flows may occur in areas burned by recent wildfires including the Banner, Chariot, Chihuahua, Eagle, Felipe, and Vallecito fires.
August 23, 2013 (Ocotillo ) – It looked like a scene out of the 1930s, when factory-scale farms removed topsoil in the Midwest, creating dust storms that swept across the western states, reducing vast areas to a Dust Bowl. Is history repeating itself?
Residents of Ocotillo and other desert communities across the Southwest have recently voiced worries that industrial-scale wind and solar projects that stripped bare the earth would cause dust storms. Yesterday, a monster-scale dust cloud rolled across Ocotillo, blackening the sky and obscuring even the wind turbines that tower 500 feet above the town.
August 23, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--A tropical storm system has moved into our area, bringing thundershowers, humid weather and dramatic lightning displays across East County’s mountain areas .The storm system is expected to weaken Saturday, but more thunderstorms and lightning are forecast Sunday through Tuesday across East County’s mountain and desert areas. (View video of lightning over Descanso on the Brush Fire Partyline’s Facebook Page)
In addition, a blowing dust warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for desert areas in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
August 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) -- Monsoonal moisture will create a slight chance of thunderstorms over San Diego County mountains and deserts Sunday afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service reports. Any thunderstorms that occur will be capable of producing dry lightning, gusty winds, and locally heavy downpours.
Photo: Debris in roadway at Ocotillo; photo by Jim Pelley
July 21, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- A flash flood watch has been issued for San Diego County’s mountains and deserts through Monday evening. Thunderstorms and heavy showers are forecast over mountain and desert areas. Flash flooding threat will remain high through early Monday night, especially in areas recently burned by fires.
This evening, flash flooding caused a rocky ride for motorists on roadways in East County’s mountains and deserts. Mudslides caused major delays along Highway 78 at Yaqui Pass in the Anza-Borrego area. Boulders in the roadway are blocking Montezuma Valley Road, forcing closure. Portions of S-2 and Borrego Valley Road are also shut down due to flooding and debris.
July 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch effective now through Sunday evening in burned areas of San Diego County’s mountains and deserts. Showers and isolated thunderstorms are also forecast.
Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action if the flash flood watch is elevated to a flash flood warning.
June 28, 2013 (San Diego) – The Heat is on and looks like it will be with us for a while!
If you work or play outside, you should know about heat stress safety tips. Heat stress is caused by over exposure to hot climates. You might not think it is possible, but you can suffer from heat related injuries inside as well as outside. Heat stress occurs when your bodies core temperature rises above normal.
June 27, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for our region, with record high temperatures possible. Extremely hot weather is forecast Friday through Sunday, with temperatures reaching 116 to 122 in the lower deserts and 110 in the upper desert areas. In the mountains and foothills, temperatures could hit 100 to 105,
Hot temperatures will continue Monday and Tuesday, though slightly cooler than the weekend.
May 10, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- Temperatures up to 100 degrees and thundershowers are forecast for our region, the National Weather Service reports. The heat wave should peak on Monday, with a cooling trend to follow. View a video from the NWS with the forecast from now through May 14:
April 30, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--We will be experiencing an extremely high fire danger for the next 72 plus hours. High pressure is building over Southern California. Lack of rain has resulted in critically low fuel moisture content level. Warm temperatures with strong gusty off-shore winds will increase the threat of wildfire.
Wildfires affect everyone as resources from areas not serving in wildland urban interface (WUI) are called to assist leaving areas short staffed until personnel can be recalled. Please advise homeowners to do their part by:
April 13, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A developing low pressure trough in the west is forecast to drive westerly winds across the mountains and deserts through Tuesday. Strong, gusty winds will likely cause blowing dust and sand in desert areas, causing hazardous driving conditions.
Gusts of 58 miles per hour and sustain winds of at least 40 mph may occur.
April 7, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning in effect from 6 p.m. tonight to 6 p.m. Monday evening. Gusts of up to 70 miles per hour with sustained winds of 25-35 mph are forecast for mountain , desert, valley and coastal areas in San Diego County.
Strongest winds are expected on Monday. Expect blowing sand and dust in desert areas that will reduce visibility. Driving may be difficult in windy areas, particularly for high-profile vehicles. Be watchful for broken tree limbs; property damage is possible. In coastal areas, winds will bring hazardous conditions for small craft, high surf and strong rip currents.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for minor flooding in urban areas of San Diego, as well as several East County communities including El Cajon, Santee, Spring Valley and Valley Center.
As ECM previously reported, snow is forecast for mountain areas down to 3500 feet, with thundershowers at lower elevations.
March 6, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for local mountains and deserts effective now through 3 a.m. on Thursday. Gusts of 45 mph or more are predicted, with breezy though less strong winds continuing Thursday.
A cold winter storm is forecast to bring heavy snow to East County’s mountains; the NWS has issued a winter storm watch from late Thursday through Friday evening.
February 19, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)-The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect now through noon on Wednesday.
A very cold Pacific storm will bring heavy rain, low elevation snow and, thunderstorms. Snow levels will drop down to 2000 to 2500 feet tonight with higher valley and desert areas potentially seeing light accumulations of snow. Rain will occur elsewhere this afternoon and continue through Wednesday morning with amounts ranging from 0.50 to 1.00 inches except less than 0.25 inches in the deserts. Very strong and hazardous winds will also affect the mountains and deserts.
February 14, 2013 (San Diego's East County) - Gusty northeast Santa Ana winds are forecast from tonight through Saturday afternoon. Sustained winds of 15-30 mph and gusts up to 55 mph are possible in some local mountain passes and canyons.
Driving may be difficult, especially for higher-profile vehicles. Minor damage to trees and outdoor objects that are unsecured may occur.
February 9, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) ---Heavy snowfall has transformed our local mountains into winter wonderlands. Mount Laguna received 10 inches of snowfall in the past 24 hours, followed by Palomar Mountain with 7 to 8 inches. Cuyamaca also received significant snowfall, as this image sent in by reader Grace Schlesier shows. Frost and freezing temperatures are expected through Monday in inland valleys.
Other areas dusted in white include Julian (3-6 inches), Ranchita (5 inches), Santa Ysabel (2 inches) and Pine Valley (2 inches) . Snow even dipped down to Descanso and Campo, which received less than a half inch each.
February 8, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) – A cold front will bring chilly temperatures, thunderstorms and in mountain areas, snowfall starting Friday. Four to ten inches of snow are expected to fall above 4,000 feet, with snow levels dipping down to 2500 feet or even lower Friday night and Saturday.
Travel may be hazardous on portions of I-8 as well as on mountain roads.
January 25, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for San Diego County, including mountains, valleys, deserts and coastal areas. Widespread dense fog with visibility near zero in places is expected tonight and tomorrow.
Scattered rain showers are predicted Sunday and Monday along and west of the mountains. Snow levels should lower to 4500 feet by Monday.
January 13, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for our region. Strong and gusty north to northeasterly winds will develop over inland and coastal water areas Monday through Tuesday. Damaging winds gusts of 60 miles per hour or more will be possible through and below wind prone canyons and passes.
Frost and freeze warnings remain in effect for portions of the mountains and deserts tonight, though temperatures are expected to begin warming on Tuesday and Wednesday.
January 10, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—Expect chilly temperatures through the weekend as a cold front sweeps into the region. A winter storm warning has been issued for mountains and deserts today, with snow levels dropping to as low as 2000 feet tonight. That’s low enough to bring snow to Interstate 8 in East County east of Alpine. Rain is forecast for areas west of the mountains.
Snow is expected to impact the following areas today, dropping even lower tonight: Cuyamaca, Descanso, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pine Valley, Ranchitta, Santa Ysabel, and Warner Springs. Visibility could be reduced to zero from blowing and drifting snow. This weather could be deadly for hikers and campers caught unprepared, the National Weather Service warns.
A high wind warning has also been issued for mountain and desert areas, with gusts up to 65 mp and sustained winds of 25-30 mph. forecast. In coastal areas, flooding and rip currents are expected to produce hazardous conditions.
January 8, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – If the weather seemed hotter last year than in the past, your memory is correct.
In its State of the Climate Report, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center reveals today that 2012 averaged the hottest temperatures ever recorded for the lower 48 states in the U.S. Nationwide, the average temperature for 2012 was 55.3 degrees Fahrenheit—a full 3.2 degrees higher than the 20th Century average and one degree hotter than the previous hottest year on record (1998).
It was also a historic year for extreme weather that included severe drought, larger wildfires, hurricanes and storms--the second worst year on record.
January 5, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Rain is forecast for our region tonight and early in the morning, with snow in East County’s mountain areas. Snow levels are forecast to drop down to 3500 feet tonight—reaching communities along I-8 such as Descanso and Pine Valley. Two to four inches of snow are forecast at higher elevations.
High winds are also expected in mountains and deserts, with gusts up to 45 mph. Thunderstorms and hail are also possible. CHP reports that chains are required at South Grade Road and Highway 76, on Palomar Mountain, and at the junction of S6 and S7.
December 29, 2012 (San Diego’s East County ) - A storm moving through our region today and tomorrow is expected to bring rain and in mountain areas, snow. By tomorrow, snow is forecast to drop down to 4,000 feet—low enough to include Julian and Lake Cuyamaca—popular destinations for families seeking to frolic in the snow.
Gusty winds are also forecast in mountains and on desert slopes late Sunday. The storm system is expected to move east and out of our county on Monday, so if you’re planning a trip to the mountains it’s best to wait until after the weekend.
December 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A wind advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for mountains and deserts in East County from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 26. Gusts up to 50 mph may occur near ridge tops. Winds may make driving difficult, also producing blowing sand in desert areas.
A hazardous weather outlook has also been issued for southwestern California. Wednesday through Monday, a cold low-pressure system will bring light to moderate rain, with snow down to 4500 feet in mountain areas, along with strong winds. Frost is possible in valleys and upper deserts Wednesday and Thursday nights. Along coastal areas, a winds may create hazardous conditions for small crafts.
December 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory in effect from 10 p.m. tonight, with frost likely again Thursday night. The warning includes San Diego County valleys, desert areas and wind-sheltered locations west of the mountains.
Damage to sensitive plants is likely when frost occurs, so sensitive plants should be covered to protect them.
December 17, 2012 (San Diego) – A cold front is predicted to sweep through the county on Tuesday, with moderate to heavy rain and snow accumulating above 4500 feet. Dense fog will make travel difficult in mountain areas at night, the National Weather Service warns. In addition, a wind advisory is in effect for inland valley areas.
The weather is expected to improve Thursday through Saturday, though another storm is possible next Sunday or Monday—and with it, the prospect of a white Christmas for East County’s mountain communities.
December 8, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning starting tonight at 6 p.m. through Tuesday at 2 p.m. for San Diego’s inland valleys. A red flag alert means conditions for wildfire danger are high.
In addition, a high wind warning has been issued from now through 4 p.m. Monday by the National Weather Service in San Diego. A dense fog advisory has also been issued for tonight and tomorrow morning. Use caution if you must drive during these conditons.
Backcountry residents concerned about potential proactive electricicty shutdowns due to high winds can monitor SDG&E's website for updates at http://www.sdge.com/tools/windspeed-dashboard
November 27, 2012 (San Diego)- A storm brewing over the northeast Pacific is expected to bring powerful swells and waves up to 10 feet high to San Diego’s coast this week, with the biggest breakers expected on Friday. But dudes, don’t grab those surfboards and head west--according to the National Weather Service, “very strong rip currents will make for dangerous swimming conditions.”
m Raftery
December 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A wind advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for mountains and deserts in East County from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 26. Gusts up to 50 mph may occur near ridge tops. Winds may make driving difficult, also producing blowing sand in desert areas. 
December 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory in effect from 10 p.m. tonight, with frost likely again Thursday night. The warning includes San Diego County valleys, desert areas and wind-sheltered locations west of the mountains.
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