By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2014 (San Diego) – Drought-parched San Diego got some relief over the past two days. The National Weather Service has released precipitation totals for the two days ending at 2:10 p.m. today.

More is due in Sunday, with thunderstorms, hail and gusty winds forecast and flooding possible due to already saturated ground.

Below are the totals for the past 48 hours:

File photo by Dennis Richardson, Lakeside

February 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A severe storm front moving across Southern California is forecast to bring heavy rains and flooding to San Diego County including coastal and inland regions.  Waves up to 15 feet high are forecast along San Diego beaches this weekend.  The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch, forecasting over an inch an hour and a high wind watch is now in effect.

The greatest threat for flash flooding will be over mountains and recent burn areas with debris flow possible, as well as in urban areas with poor drainage.  In addition, possible major coastal flooding may occur during high tides on Saturday.  Rough surf and storm rip currents are forecast from Friday through early Sunday.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated February 27, 2014 (San Diego) – A powerful storm is set to sweep into the region Thursday through Sunday, bringing some of the most severe weather seen in decades, weather experts predict.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning and a flash flood watch from late Thursday through Saturday night.  Thunderstorms may bring waterspouts or even tornadoes, most likely in coastal areas.

 Sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts of 60 miles per hour or higher are forecast for mountain and desert areas in East County.   Blowing sand and dust may reduce visibility.

January 6, 2014 (San Diego's East County) -- If you’re traveling outside of our area, you may have a long wait.  Over 3,000 flights have been cancelled nationwide due to an extreme cold front known as a polar vortex. 

The severe weather system  is breaking all records, with temperatures dipping to a frosty 68 degrees below zero in  the Midwest, also bringing icy cold weather to the northeast and the South. Atlanta Georgia was colder than Moscow today ad Memphis, Tennessee was chillier than Anchorage Alaska.

December 14, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A red flag warning is in effect from noon Saturday through 6 p.m. Sunday due to high fire danger conditions including strong, gusty east/northeast winds, warmer temperatures and low humidity.

Winds of 15 to 30 miles per hour are forecast with gusts up to 65 possible in mountain passes.

December 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for mountains and deserts.  Gusts over 60 miles per hour are forecast.

A cold front moving through the recent will drop temperatures below freezing for high desert areas by Wednesday morning. Rain and snowfall are forecast at higher elevations.

November 21, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Chilly temperatures and rain are forecast today through Saturday across our region, with thunderstorms also possible in mountain and desert areas.   Above 5,000 feet, five to nine inches of snow are expected.  Motorists should also watch for gusty winds, particularly on ridge tops.

By Miriam Raftery

October 27, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the mountains and deserts from 10 p.m. tonight through 8 a.m. Tuesday. A high wind warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring, which can cause property damage.

Snow is also forecast, with the snow level dipping down to 5000 to 5500 feet Monday.

Update: The fire is now out but the roadway remains flooded and there are many other hazards. Lightning strikes are reported in the Warner Springs area and other locations including the bolt shown at left, taken by Bob Kutscher. This strike apparently ignited the fire, with smoke visible on a second image moments later shot from Borrego.

September 6, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A fire truck en route to a fire reported in the Scissors Crossing area near Julian has become stuck in the mud.  Highway S2 is shut down from State Route 79 to S 22 and a Sig Alert has been issued.  The fire truck initially became stuck after encountering a road washed out by flooding at 79 en route to Montezuma, according to the California Highway webpage. Smoke is also reportedly visible form Vista Point; it is unclear if this is the same fire.

  On Mt. Laguna, mudslides are reported on Sunrise Highway between I-8 and mile marker 18; Cal Trans is responding. Rockslides are also occurring on Old 80, the National Weather Service reports. In the desert, downed powerlines are reported on Rango Way and Borrego Valley Road.

A flash flood warning remains in effect until 430 p.m. for Southeastern San Diego County.Shortly before 3 p.m. National Weather service Doppler radar continued to indicate moderate to heavy rain in the area from Cuyamaca Peak to Campo. Storm spotters reported flooded roads in Pine Valley. Locations in the warning include but are not limited to Morena Village, Potrero, Campo, Descanso, Cuyamaca Peak, Highway 79, Sunrise Highway, Tierra del Sol and Interstate 8. A flash flood watch remains in effect across many other areas, along with a high heat warning.

September 2, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- Brian Duke Fast Forward Productions has sent in two dramatic photos of stormcells taken today.

The first shot is taken near the Golden Acorn Casino and shows the incongruous combination of a brush fire (right) in the La Posta area beside the looming stormcell bringing heavy showers to the area.  The second (below) is a panorama of multiple cells over the Campo/Boulevard communities, along with the fire. 

More thundershowers are possible through Friday, the National Weather Service predicts, so expect more wet and wild weather in coming days.

August 29, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A flash flood watch has been issued for mountains, valleys and desert areas in San Diego’s East County and other areas in southwestern California. The watch is in effect for this afternoon through 10 p.m. this evening. 

Slow-moving thunderstorms are expected to produce very heavy rainfall with flash flooding.  Debris flows are possible in and below areas burned by recent wildfires.

By Miriam Raftery

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.  

By Miriam RAftery

Photos by Richard Campbell and Billy Ortiz

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.

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.

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.