East County News Service

April 2, 2019 (San Diego)--The National Weather Service has issued a wind warning in effect from noon today to 11 a.m. tomorrow for San Diego’s mountain and desert areas.  Southwest winds of 20-30 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph are forecast.

Watch for blowing dust or sand in these areas and use caution if driving a high-profile vehicle.

Update 10:38 a.m.  -- CHP is now escorting vehicles on I-8 between Alpine and the county line. Expect delays.

February 22, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- East County's mountain areas look like winter wonderlands, with two feet of snow atop Mt. Laguna and several inches or more in Julian (photo, left, webcam in downtown Julian). 

But winter conditions have wreaked havoc with motorists. After many vehicles incuding a semi-truck and a school bu skidded on icy conditions along Interstate 8, authorities shut down I-8 from Alpine to the County line last night. It remains closed this morning, though the CHP has been escorting stranded motorist through the area. 

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Yesterday’s Valentine’s Day storm dropped 10.10 inches of snow on Palomar Mountain, breaking a record of 9.58 inches set way back in 1901. The storm also brought sweet relief to drought-stricken Borrego Springs, dropping 2.68 inches of rain on the desert community.  Other new records included Ramona with 4.02 inches, Campo with 3.75 inches, and Alpine with 2.94 inches.

Lillian Trautman of El Cajon sent in the video above, showing her El Cajon yard turned into a rushing torrent of water.

East County News Service

February 4, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect now through 4 a.m. Wednesday for heavy snow in the mountains of San Diego’s East County. 

The snow level could dip down to 2500 to 3500 feet, with six to 12 inches of snow above 4500 to 5000 feet.

East County News Service

January 11, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Heavy rain and snow is forecast to fall starting tonight, with several new storm systems from the Pacific northwest slated to reach our region next week.

According to the National Weather Service, tonight and tomorrow morning should bring a half inch of rain west of the mountains and up to an inch or rain in the mountains, with several inches of snow above 6,000 feet including Palomar Mountain. Be prepared for a brief period of very heavy rain and strong surf.

By Miriam Raftery

East County News Service

December 31, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- Frost and freeze warnings and watches are in effect for much of our region tonight through Thursday, with snow levels forecast to dip down to 3,500 feet. Temperatures could fall as low as 25 degrees in some East County mountain and desert areas – cold enough to freeze pipes and sensitive plants. High winds are also forecast across inland valleys, with gusts up to 75 miles per hour.

Light showers and snowfall fell at higher elevations today, with additional precipitation expected through 10 p.m. tonight and icy roads likely.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Robert Gehr, left:  El Cajon Library closed temporarily due to flooding.

December 7, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Storms over the past two days brought much needed rain to our region, up to 3 inches in some areas.  But the downpour also causing flash flooding in many areas.

Several cars became caught up in rushing water up to four feet in southeast county, where major flooding occurred on Otay Lakes Road by Pio Pico RV Park and also on Highway 94 between the Jamul Casino and Jamul Estates.  Jan Hedlun, a motorist delayed due to the flooding, says  that 45 minutes after Cal Trans closed the highway, “There was no one directing traffic or telling stranded travelers to turn around and find another way home, as there has been during priori events. “No signs were being posted to prevent people from coming down Highway 94.” She asks why CHP or Border Patrol agents were not brought in to assist and why funding has not been allocated to fix the roads/drainage in these two recurring trouble spots.

In El Cajon, the County Library is closed today due to damage inside caused by flooding. 

Thunder, lightning and power outages also occurred across the region due to the storm.

East County News Service

October 12, 2018 (San Diego)-- A storm is forecast to bring rain across our county tonight through Saturday night.  Rainfall will be heaviest over the mountains with thunderstorms predicted.

July 29, 2018  3 p.m. -- The National Weather Service just issued this urgent warning:

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Warning National Weather Service San Diego CA 259 PM PDT SUN JUL 29 2018 The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... North central San Diego County in southwestern California... * Until 400 PM PDT *

At 258 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hwy 79 Between Santa Ysabel And Warner Springs, or 9 miles northwest of Julian, moving southwest at 10 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. *

Locations impacted include... Warner Springs, Hwy 79 Between Santa Ysabel And Warner Springs, Lake Henshaw, Ranchita, Hwy S2 Between Hwy 79 And Hwy 78, S7 - East Grade Rd, Hwy 78 Between Ramona And Santa Ysabel, Hwy 79 Between Warner Springs And Oak Grove, Santa Ysabel, Los Coyotes Indian Reservation, Wynola and Santa Ysabel Indian Reservation.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

By Miriam Raftery

February 25, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A cold front is forecast to bring snow down as low as 2,500 feet in East County on Monday and Tuesday, potentially dropping up to six inches on Mount Laguna as well as two to four inches in Julian.  

Smaller amounts of snow could fall on Ramona and communities east of Alpine along Interstate 8, such as Pine Valley, Japatul and Descanso, so check weather reports and carry chains if driving in the mountains during these winter weather conditions. Mountain areas along State Route 94 in the Potrero/Tecate divide area could also be impacted.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

January 26, 2018 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning due to high fire danger.  The warning is in effect from Saturday evening through Monday afternoon for all mountains and valleys across Southern California.

Gusty Santa Ana winds, low humidity and temperatures west of the mountains that could be 10 to 22 degrees above normal all contribute to the elevated risk risk.

January 9, 2018, 4:30 p.m. -- The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued an Areal Flood Advisory for San Diego County until 7:00 PM.

Doppler radar indicated moderate to heavy rain moving through San Diego County, especially the northwestern sections. This will likely cause urban and small stream flooding in the advisory area from the mountains west to the coast. Rainfall rates of up to one-half inch per hour could locally occur.

Some locations that will likely experience flooding include Chula Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Vista, Encinitas, National City, La Mesa, Poway, portions of the San Diego city limits, North Park, Hillcrest and Midway District Including Lindbergh Field.

East County News Service

January 8, 2018 (Ramona) -- With the expected arrival of the strongest storm to hit the region since last winter’s record breaking rainfall, County Fire and CAL FIRE San Diego are taking steps to ensure that they are prepared for any weather-related incidents this week.

County officials expect the heaviest rain to arrive early Tuesday and anticipate it impacting the morning commute. As a result, San Diego County Fire will be activating a swift water rescue team which will be prepositioned in the Ramona area that will be available for immediate response to any portion of the county should the need arise. In addition to the swift water rescue team,CAL FIRE San Diego will have hand crews available for flood fighting operations.

East County News Service

December 22, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for tonight that includes inland desert regions in San Diego County. Temperatures could reach as low as 25 degrees in some places.

Pet owners are advised to bring pets inside tonight and to bring in or cover plants sensitive to cold, such as tropical plants or citrus.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Updated December 4, 2017

December 2, 2017 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service in San Diego is warning of prolonged, critical fire conditions in all areas of our county starting Monday morning through the end of the week. 

A red flag alert is in effect for coastal, mountain and valley areas through Thursday due to low humidity, above average temperatures and strong offshore winds.  A high wind warning has also been issued, with Santa Ana winds at 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts up to 55 miles an hour forecast.