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 10^th and at 11^th 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)

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.

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.

By Miriam Raftery

December 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – A low pressure trough moving south into our region is forecast to bring strong westerly winds, showers and mountain snow tonight through Friday, meteorologist Mark Moede with the National Weather Srevice in San Diego advises.

Wind gusts could reach 60 to 70 miles per hour, posing hazards to high profile vehicles in mountains and deserts, including on I-15, I-8, and I-10.  There is also a chance of thunderstorms, hail and brief, heavy downpours possible.

East County News Service

November 14, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –Strong winds across our region are forecast for Sunday afternoon through Monday, with gusts over 70 miles per hour possible on mountain crests and desert mountain slopes and gusts of 35 to 60 mph in mountain and desert areas. 

Gale force wind gusts of 35 to 40 knots are also forecast over coastal waters, says Stephen Harrison, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Showers are also forecast, with rainfall light in most areas, though mountains could receive a half inch of precipitation.

East County News Service

August 22, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Monsoonal flows could bring afternoon and evening thunderstorms, lightning and heavy downpours Monday through Thursday in East County, along with gusty winds.

By Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for San Diego County deserts and a heat advisory for mountain and valley areas. 

The warning and advisory are in effect from Friday at 1 p.m. to Monday at 9 p.m. Temperatures are forecast to reach 116 in Borrego Springs, 105 in Campo, 104 in Ramona, 102 in Alpine and 100 in El Cajon, shattering prior records.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Robert Gehr (c) 2015

July 19, 2015 (San Diego) – Saturday’s deluge, remnants of a hurricane off the Baja coast, set a new record rainfall for the month of July in San Diego and many other local cities, Alex Tardy, Meteorologist Manager at the National Weather Service, San Diego reports.  At Lindbergh Field airport, 1.03 inches of rain has fallen so far this month, topping the old record of 0.92 inches set back in July 1902.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park got 1.16 inches and Ramona’s airport got a full inch. Campo received .99, while Alpine and El Cajon measured .95 inches on Saturday, putting all of these communities above normal for the whole month of July.

The downpour forced cancellation of some events, such as Concert at the Lakes in Santee.

East County News Service

Photo: View from Lyons Peak, Jamul, courtesy UCSD HP Wren webcam

Update 3:30 p.m. -

• Mudslide across roadway: Highland Valley and Archie Moore roads, Ramona, CHP site reports
• Hellhole Canyon Preserve: Vegetation fire, North County, per scanner
• Lightning fire on hillside, Bancroft and Campo Rd. reported, scanner and CHP

June 30, 2015 (Lakeside) 2:40 p.m. - Thunder, lightning and heavy fires are sparking multiple emergency responses across East County. Here are highlights within the past hour:

• Flooding is reporting in Alpine at Tavern and East Willow Road exits.
• A fire was reported at 94 near Shockey Truck Trail.
• Fire crews have also been dispatched to Kitchen Creek near Cameron Truck Trail, per scanner traffic.
• An earlier fire on Highway 67 near Slaughterhouse Canyon is out, halted at about 3 acres.
• Power lines are down and a power pole reported leaning across the roadway at Dye Road in Ramona.
• SDG&E reports power outages in Eastlake/Otay are impacting 171 customers with restoration estimated at 6:30 p.m.
• A larger outage is affected 623 households in Dulzura, Potrero, Campo, Japatul Valley, Buckman Springs, And Morena Village areas with rsetoration estimated for 4:30 p.m.
  

East County News Service

February 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm is due to hit our region tonight through Monday, bringing strong gusty winds to mountains and deserts.  Possible thunderstorms are possible starting Sunday night, bringing rain and potentially heavy snowfall down to levels that may include Julian, Descanso and Pine Valley.

The Sheriff offered this reminder to motorists traveling in the mountains: Have a full tank of gas, water and food supplies in case you are stranded in traffic for several hours. Have snow chains for areas where they will be required. Public restroom facilities are limited...Be mindful of areas that are private property which are marked by signs and fences. Private property is off limits to the public for recreational snow activities.

Parking violations will be enforced and citations will be issued. Vehicles blocking roadways and private property will be towed. Be aware of increased law enforcement activity to handle the large crowds.

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A thick blanket of snow has fallen across much of  San Diego’s inland region, transforming the terrain into a winter wonderland this New Year’s Eve. Lindy Klengler sent photos taken at her Hidden Meadows home in Escondido at just 1700 feet elevation, showing snow around her swimming pool and atop palm trees. “Been here 22 years and never had this happen,” she says.

Melody Munoz and Donna Tisdale sent photos from Boulevard, where three to four inches of snow fell overnight and the temperature on New Year’s morning is a chilly 21 degrees. Snow has also blanketed Descanso and coated landmarks in Jacumba.

Julian received 9 inches of snow and on Mt. Palomar, 12 inches—a foot—has fallen, according to the National Weather Service.  ECM  news partner 10 News observes that level “beats Big Bear!”

December 26, 2014 (San Diego)—The National Weather Service is forecasting frost for the next two nights, through early Sunday morning. Saturday is expected to be the coldest nights.

There will be areas of frost and freezing temperatures in San Diego County’s valleys and deserts. In addition, frost is also forecast for the north coast, particularly Oceanside.

By Miriam Raftery

December 11, 2014 (San Diego) – A powerful storm is set to drench our region, bringing torrential downpours of up to a half inch of rain per hour. A flash flood watch has been issued through late Friday night, with highest risk in areas burned by recent wildfires including the Cocos Fire.  Dangerous surf conditions will occur along the coast. Strong rip currents are forecast, with waves of 7 to 14 feet Friday and Saturday.