January 7, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--The National Weather Service has issued a "fire weather planning forecast" for southwestern California. In San Diego County, moderate to strong northeast winds and very dry weather with low humidity are forecast for inland areas, combining to create "near critical fire weather conditions" on Sunday.

December 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for mountain areas in San Diego County and other southern California mountain locations. Scattered snow showers are expected early this afternoon with the snow level falling to 4500 feet. Locations where snow is forecast include Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna, and Ranchita locally.

By Miriam Raftery

December 11, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning. A Pacific storm is forecast to bring cold temperatures, rain and heavy snowfall to our region Monday and Tuesday.

 CAL FIRE ISSUES NO-BURN PROCLAMATION
 

November 20, 2011 (San Diegio)--The County Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain due to elevated bacteria levels. This includes all coastal beaches, Mission Bay and San Diego Bay.

November 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) The National Weather Service advises that a trough of low pressure moving inland will bring strong, gusty west winds of 35-55 mph in San Diego’s mountain and deserts tonight. High winds will make driving difficult especially for high profile vehicles. Blowing dust and sand may also reduce visibility.

November 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag alert from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2 for San Diego’s mountain areas.

Warm temperatures, high winds and low humidity will create “explosive fire growth potential,” the NWS warns.

Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds of 40-50 mph are forecast, with gusts up to 60 mph in some areas. 

October 4, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A cold front from Alaska will bring unseasonably chilly temperatures along with rain, possible thunderstorms and strong winds. A wind advisory has been issued for East County mountain and desert areas from 1 p.m. Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday, when sustained southwest winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour (mph) and gusts up to 55 mph are forecast. Snow is possible at higher elevations.

September 12, 2011 (San Diego) – Thunderstorms and rains are likely to strike San Diego County tomorrow, with the highest likelihood of storms in East County’s mountain and desert areas. These storms have the potential to produce hail, frequent lightning, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds, the National Weather Service predicts.

August 26, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory today for mountain areas in San Diego County. Strong and persistent thunderstorms are occurring with heavy rainful just west of the Eagle Fire burn scar between Anza Borrego and Warner Springs.

July 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire warns of a high risk of flash floods and debris flow in areas burned by the Eagle Fire tonight through Sunday. Rob Balfour, National Weather Service Incident Meteorologist assigned to the Eagle Fire, forecasts a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms over the burned area. An estimated 0.15 to 0.68 inches of rain could occur all at once, or in several episodes. Intense rainfall is most likely late Saturday afternoon/evening and again on Sunday.

Rainfall rates as low as 0.15 inches in a 20 minute period are capable of producing debris flows and flash floods in recently burned drainage basins, which include popular camping areas in Anza-Borrego.

Areas at risk of flooding or debris flows include:

April 7, 2011 (San Diego's East County) ---A cold storm system from western Canada will impact our area Friday morning through Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service predicts.

Rain and mountain snow are expected to begin early Friday morning and continue throughout the day. Cold air aloft with increase thunderstorm potential late in the day.

March 18, 2011 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather alert for San Diego County due to a strong storm system forecast to reach our region Sunday night and Monday. Light showers may occur earlier and extend through Tuesday. Significant rain, gusty winds and mountain snow is predicted starting Sunday night.

February27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The weekend storm has passed, leaving 26 inches of snow on Laguna Mountain and 16 inches on Mount Palomar. Alpine, Pine Valley, Campo and other communities received ample snow to require snow plows to clear roads.  

Below are the latest road conditions and weather updates.

 Watch for frequent updates. Readers, if you know of hazards not listed, please post in the comments section below this article.

February 26, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) 10:05 a.m. -- Snow is completely covering the freeway at I-8 from State Route 94 in the Crestwood area, CHP has just announced.

Numerous hazards are also present on many other major freeways and roadways.  East County and inland San Diego traffic hazards include: