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Weather

JUST IN TIME FOR EARTH DAY, HEAT BREAKS 137-YEAR RECORD IN SAN DIEGO

 

Records also shattered worldwide for third consecutive month

East County News Service

April 19, 2016 (San Diego) – As citizens around the world prepare to commemorate the 36th anniversary of Earth Day this week, signs of climate change are increasingly evident on a local and national scale.

WEATHER SERVICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

 

East County News Service

March 20, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – We all want to know how much rain or snow has fallen in local communities – and get accurate forecasts on future weather. Now you can help make that happen. The National Weather Service is looking for volunteers to gather information that will help them better predict the weather, particularly in mountain and desert areas where valuable data on precipitation is lacking.

WINTER STORM BRINGS SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS, SNOW TO REGION

 

East County News Service

March 7, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--A strong line of thunderstorms will continue across the area this morning. Brief, heavy downpours, dangerous lightning, gusty winds, small hail and slick roads are expected this morning. The snow level could drop to 4,000 feet tonight, with several inches of snow above 4,500 feet.

There is also a special marine warning that includes all coastal waters in San Diego County due to severe thunderstorms. Boaters are advised to move to shore until the storm passes.

February Hit Satellite Temperatures Out of the Ballpark!

The sum of a strong El Nino and the effect of man's greenhouse gas emissions drove February 2016 global land and sea Troposphere temperatures to a 37-year record.

Remote Sensing Systems reports a February land and sea monthly reading from the lower Troposphere of 0.974K, significantly higher than any other reading on the 37-year and 2-month long data set. The extreme upper right of the graph below represents the February record.

HOW WET AND WINDY WAS IT?

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Jane Moore: downed tree limbs in El Cajon

February 1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – A fierce storm that roared through our region over the weekend toppled trees that killed a woman in Pacific Beach, injured a 10 News crew in Mira Mesa and sent a Santee mom to the hospital.  Downed trees destroyed a popular wedding spot at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Winds also toppled trees and patio furniture across East County, our readers report.  The storm caused power outages to over 18,000 customers as SDG&E crews worked through the night to restore power.

HIGH WINDS TOPPLE TREES, POWER LINES ACROSS COUNTY

 

East County News Service

Photo by Vanessa Nadeau at Bon Vue Drive, El Cajon.

Update: A Santee mother has been injured after a tree fell on her van, but her baby, also in the vehicle, is unharmed, KNSJ reports.

 

January 31, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Powerful winds and rains have resulted in numerous power outages, downed lines and fallen trees on roas and highway across our region in San Diego and East County. 

Check SDG&E’s outage map for  updates on outages in your area and expected restoration times: http://www.sdge.com/safety/outages/outage-map .

Here are the latest road hazards and weather condition reports compiled by our staff:

WINTER STORM THIS WEEKEND: HOW LOW COULD SNOW GO?

 

East County News Service

January 28, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – A significant winter storm is forecast to roll into our region Saturday night and Sunday. Very strong winds up to 80 miles per hour  are possible Sunday afternoon and evening, along with moderate rainfall across much of the county and heavy snow in our mountain areas.

By Sunday night, traces of snow could dip as low as 3500 feet, which could impact I-8 in East County east of Alpine.  Elevations of 4,000 to 5,000 feet, such as Julian, could get 1-3 inches  of snow while up to a foot could fall on Mt. Laguna above 5,000 feet.

2015 WAS WORLD’S HOTTEST YEAR EVER RECORDED, NASA AND NOAA FIND

 

 

East County News Service

Photo: Scientific Visualization Studio/Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

 

“Climate change is the challenge of our generation, and NASA’s vital work on this important issue affects every person on Earth. Today’s announcement not only underscores how critical NASA’s Earth observation program is, it is a key data point that should make policy makers stand up and take notice - now is the time to act on climate.” – NASA Administrator Charles Bolden

January 26, 2016 (San Diego)--2015 was the warmest year worldwide since modern record-keeping began in 1880, according to a new analysis by NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies and a separate analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

18 INCHES OF SNOW ON MT. LAGUNA

 

East County News SErvice

January 9, 2016 (Mt. Laguna) - The totals from this week's storm are now complete--and Mt. Laguna received a full foot and a half of snow. 

If you're looking for a snow play day, today's a good option. However a new storm is due in this evening and early in the morning, though it will be lighter, dropping less than an inch of precipitation in most areas.

Click here to view snow and rainfall totals for areas across our region from the National Weather Service:  http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getprod.php?wfo=sgx&sid=SGX&pil=RRM.  To view more images from local HP Wren web cameras run by the University of California San Diego, such as the image at left, visit http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/.

OVER A FOOT OF SNOW ON MT.LAGUNA, RAINS DRENCH REGION

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Above, Jim Pelley sent us photo of snow-covered Laguna Mountains, viewed from desert in Ocotillo

Below, Fox 5 TV tweeted image of news van on Mt. Laguna for a "San Diego snow day"

January 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – After four years of drought, when it rains, it pours!  During the past 72 hours, the National Weather Service reports heavy snowfall in our local mountains including 12 to 15 inches on Mt. Laguna.  In addition, many communities soaked up  several inches of rain, topped by Mt. Woodson with nearly seven and a half inches.

Here are highlights on the snow and rainfall totals over the past three days.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: A RIVER RAN THROUGH JAMUL—BUT HIGHWAY STAYED OPEN

 

Photo, left, by Jodie LaRosh, reposted with permission from the JAC

January 7, 2016 (Jamul) –Jodie LaRosh came upon this surreal scene this morning at 7 a.m. at State Route 94.  At a dip in the road near Jamul Estates, rainfall had created a river flooding the road. 

At 8:02 a.m., CHP asked for Caltrans to shut down the roadway. A t 8:27 CHP observed that “water is getting pretty deep” and again asked for a shutdown at Honey Springs and 94.  But at 8:41 a.m., inexplicably, CHP posted,  “SR 94 will remain open –there is a foot of water crossing from the creek.” Signs were posted to alert motorists.

FLOODING AND MUDSLIDES WREAK HAVOC IN RURAL EAST COUNTY

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo of Dehesa Elementary School courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

January 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Today’s storm has caused significant damage across East County including closure of Dehesa Elementary School and a mudslide that oozed into homes in Rancho San Diego.

Muddy floodwaters drenched the interior of classrooms at Dehesa Elementary, soaking electrical and computer equipment on floors.  The school will remain closed until Monday for cleanup, 10 News reports.

NOT A TORNADO, BUT “MICROBURSTS” IN YESTERDAY’S STORM CAUSED PLENTY OF DAMAGE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: fallen tree Jan. 7 in La Jolla, courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

January 7, 2016 (San Diego ) – The tornado forecast to hit north-central San Diego County yesterday didn’t materialize. But “wet microbursts” did cause major wind damage. 

Among the hardest hit communities was the Poway-Sabre Springs area, where damage was “consistent with 60 to 70 mile per hour straight-line winds,” says Alex Tardy, warning coordination meteorologist manager for the National Weather Service in San Diego. Thunderstorm microbursts can be as strong as 100 mph, he added.  Surveys conducted thus far found:

JAMUL AREA FLOODING AND ROAD CLOSURE

 

 

East County News Service

Jaunary 7, 2016 (Jamul) --Honey Springs Road will be shut down all night due to power lines downed by vehicle that struck a power pole this evening, while awaiting SDG&E repairs, the CHP website indicates. A SIG Alert has been issued.

Highway 94 had substantial flooding this afternoon, reaching 30 feet wide in places and up to two feet deep, by some estimates..

Ronnie Durfee sent in video including this still shot of the dip between Rancho Jamul and Melody Lane.

MAJOR ROAD CLOSURES AND HAZARDS DUE TO SNOW, FLOODING, AND DEBRIS

January 7, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- Snow, debris flows and flloding from heavy rainfall are making the morning commute tough. Here are the latest updates on closures and hazards impacting Highway 94, Interstate 8 and other highways as well as major surface streeets across East County.

  • Snow on I-8 just east of Kitchen Creek – snow ploughs are working (CHP)  Numerous accidents reported east of Pine Valley.
  • SR-94 closed both directions from Lyons Valley Rd. to Honey Springs due to flooding (Caltrans); CHP site indicates a “river” flowing 30-40 feet wide this a.m.
  • Sunrise Highway is open but you are required to carry chains. CHP is en route to check conditions on Highway 79 from I-8 to Julian.
  • Dehesa road from the school to willow glen has multiple mudslides and is a total mess.    Willow glen is completely closed by the quarry, a reader reports
  • State Route 94 at Buckman Springs Rd., vehicle overturned (CHP)
  • I-8 east west of Fuerte, off-ramp sign fell down and is in slow lane, per CHP
  • Ramona: B St. closed from 10th and at 11th due to flooding (DPW).  Also Magnolia dip is now closed at highway 78 and 500 feet north of Magnolia dip due to flooding in Ramona.
  • Spring Valley: Quarry Road from SR125 to Lakeview is closed due to flooding(DPW)

SAN DIEGO RIVER EXPECTED TO REACH FLOOD STAGE TONIGHT

 

Flooding and boulders also block roadways in East County; snow impedes travel in mountains

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Ward Road in Mission Valley, courtesy of San Diego Lifeguards

January 6, 2016 (San Diego) – With yet another storm set to hit tonight, the San Diego River is expected to reach flood stage (11.5 feet) tonight, cresting in the pre-dawn hours.  The National Weather Service reports the river level has risen five feet in the past 24 hours to nearly 8 feet..  Major roads crossing the river in Mission Valley are closed and underwater including Fashion Valley Road, Avenida del Rio, Camino del Este, Camino de la Reina and Mission Center Road.  The San Diego Mission del Alcala church has flooded, as has the parking lot at Fashion Valley mall.

In East County, snow levels could dip down to 4,000 feet tonight, including the Julian area.  Chains are currently required on Mount Laguna/Sunrise Highway from State Route 79 to Highway 8.  There are also numerous closed or obstructed roadways:

APARTMENTS UNDERWATER IN CITY HEIGHTS; DOG DIES IN FLOOD

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 5, 2016 (City Heights) – Floodwaters from tonight’s deluge have left four apartments underwater, also submerging vehicles at 48th and El Cajon Blvd. in City Heights.

Resident Jonathan Goetz says that “at least six feet of water”  have inundated downstairs units. “Dude, my car is underwater!” he posted on his Facebook page. 

His photos document the drama in real life as a woman rescues her dog, Cha-Cha, cradling her pet in her arms. Another man searched frantically for his missing chihuahua  Nacho, hip-high in the swiftly rising floodwaters. Goetz reports that Nacho was found dead in a bedroom.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH: THUNDERSTORMS TO BRING HEAVY RAIN, POSSIBLE FLOODING

 

East County News Service

January 5, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for San Diego County’s mountains, valleys and coastal areas in effect now through late Wednesday night. Mud slides and debris flows are possible in recently burned areas and on steep or unstable terrain. Urban flooding, minor flooding of small streams and low water crossings may also occur.

A series of Pacific storms will bring  thunder, lighting, heavy rain and possible hail through Wednesday night, with additional light to moderate rainfall continuing Thursday and Friday.

A WET START TO 2016: STORMS TO SWEEP IN, STARTING SUNDAY

East County News Service

January 1, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--“What could be better than the Rose Parade? How about a parade of storms!” The National Weather Service website in San Diego states on New Year’s morning. Starting late Sunday, the first in a series of storms will move in, bringing light rain across Southern California, with the heaviest rainfall forecast for southern San Diego County.  More storms will bring additional rain throughout the week, with heavy downpours  at times.  Snow is forecast for 4,500 feet elevation and higher.

Watch for blowing snow and dust in the mountain and desert areas.

SNOWPACK IN SIERRAS NOW ABOVE NORMAL –WITH EL NIÑO YET TO COME

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 31, 2015 (Sacramento)—Yesterday the California Department of Water Resources held the first snow survey of the season in the Sierra Nevada mountains. After four years of drought, the snowpack is above normal and state officials are cautiously optimistic, though reservoir levels remain below normal.

The survey found snow depth of 54.7 inches – 16 inches more than the average since 1965.  The water content is 136 percent of average for this time of year at the station ( 90 miles east of Sacramento at an elevation of 6,800 feet).  In addition, electronic readings of 99 stations throughout the Sierra Nevada mountains found water content of the snowpack is 108 percent of average for the date over multiple decades.

MORE SNOW MAY FALL ON MOUNT LAGUNA

 

East County News Service

Photo: Mt. Laguna on December 29, 2015, courtesy UCSD's HP WRen webcam

December 30, 2015 (Mt. Laguna)--Visitors flocked to Mount Laguna yesterday after a light snowfall left just enough for sledders to enjoy some winter fun.  A frost advisory is in effect for much of our region tonight through Thursday, with clear skies forecast for New Year’s Eve.

Though warmer weather this weekend is expected to melt away those patches of snow remaining, a new storm expected to hit Wednesday and Thursday of next week could bring more snow to the region, including Julian as well as Mt. Laguna—so keep those snow boots and sleds handy.

SNOW, ICY ROADWAYS IN MOUNTAINS

 

East County News Service

File photo: Snow in Cuyamacas by Grace Schleiser

December 28, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm is bringing snow, ice and fog to our mountain regions.

Chains are required due to icy/snowy conditions on the Julian-Sunrise Highway from State Route 79 to Old Highway 80, according to the County Department of Public Works. Caltrans reports icy conditions on I-8 at Mountain Pass as well as on State Route 76 at Palomar Mountain.

The Laguna Mountain Lodge reports on its Facebook page that snow is falling on Mt.Laguna.  Residents across East County report snow in the Lake Cuyamaca area, an iced over pond in Descanso and cold conditions across our inland region.

HIGH WINDS, RAIN AND SNOW TO AFFECT HOLIDAY TRAVEL

 

East County News Service

December 24, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning in effect from Christmas Eve through Christmas morning in San Diego’s mountain and desert regions.  Winds of 35-40 miles per hour with gusts up to 80 mph are forecast. 

A cold front is also moving across the region, bringing rain and snow down as low as 3,000 feet.

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