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.

May 2, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- A red flag warning is in effect today and tomorrow through 6 p.m. due to high fire danger from excessive heat, low humidity and high winds.

Cal-Fire has provided an update on fire activitity across the state, including a nearly 3,000-acre fire in RIverside County, as well as increased increased steps that Cal Fire is taking to ensure our region is prepared.

April 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A red flag warning is effect starting 9 a.m. Thursday to 5 p.m. Friday due to strong winds and low humidity, along with warm temperatures that combined will create “explosive fire growth potential,” according to the National Weather Service.

Northeast winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts of up to 50 mph are forecast.  Daytime relative humidity of 5 to 10 percent is predicted with poor overnight recovery.

April 7, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning in effect from 6 p.m. tonight to 6 p.m. Monday evening.   Gusts of up to 70 miles per hour with sustained winds of 25-35 mph are forecast for mountain , desert, valley and coastal  areas in San Diego County.

Strongest winds are expected on Monday. Expect blowing sand and dust in desert areas that will reduce visibility. Driving may be difficult in windy areas, particularly for high-profile vehicles. Be watchful for broken tree limbs; property damage is possible.  In coastal areas, winds will bring hazardous conditions for small craft, high surf and strong rip currents.

March 6, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for local mountains and deserts effective now through 3 a.m. on Thursday. Gusts of 45 mph or more are predicted, with breezy though less strong winds continuing Thursday.

A cold winter storm is forecast to bring heavy snow to East County’s mountains; the NWS has issued a winter storm watch from late Thursday through Friday evening.

February 19, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)-The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect now through noon on Wednesday. 

A very cold Pacific storm will  bring heavy rain, low elevation snow and, thunderstorms. Snow levels will drop down to 2000 to 2500 feet tonight with higher valley and desert areas potentially seeing light accumulations of snow. Rain will occur elsewhere this afternoon and continue through Wednesday morning with amounts ranging from 0.50 to 1.00 inches except less than 0.25 inches in the deserts. Very strong and hazardous winds will also affect the mountains and deserts.

By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) ---Heavy snowfall has transformed our local mountains into winter wonderlands.  Mount Laguna received 10 inches of snowfall in the past 24 hours, followed by Palomar Mountain with 7 to 8 inches.  Cuyamaca also received significant snowfall, as this image sent in by reader Grace Schlesier shows. Frost and freezing temperatures are expected through Monday in inland valleys.

Other areas dusted in white include Julian (3-6 inches), Ranchita (5 inches), Santa  Ysabel (2 inches) and Pine Valley (2 inches) .  Snow even dipped down to Descanso and Campo, which received less than a half inch each.

February 8, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) – A cold front will bring chilly temperatures, thunderstorms and in mountain areas, snowfall starting Friday.  Four to ten inches of snow are expected to fall above 4,000 feet, with snow levels dipping down to 2500 feet or even lower Friday night and Saturday. 

Travel may be hazardous on portions of I-8 as well as on mountain roads.

January 13, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for our region.  Strong and gusty north to northeasterly winds will develop over inland and coastal water areas Monday through Tuesday. Damaging winds gusts of 60 miles per hour or more will be possible through and below wind prone canyons and passes.

Frost and freeze warnings remain in effect for portions of the mountains and deserts tonight, though temperatures are expected to begin warming on Tuesday and Wednesday.

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—Expect chilly temperatures through the weekend as a cold front sweeps into the region.  A winter storm warning has been issued for mountains and deserts today, with snow levels dropping to as low as 2000 feet tonight.   That’s low enough to bring snow to Interstate 8 in East County  east of Alpine.  Rain is forecast for areas west of the mountains.

Snow is expected to impact the following areas today, dropping even lower tonight: Cuyamaca, Descanso, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pine Valley, Ranchitta, Santa Ysabel, and Warner Springs. Visibility could be reduced to zero from blowing and drifting snow.  This weather could be deadly for hikers and campers caught unprepared, the National Weather Service warns.

A high wind warning has also been issued for mountain and desert areas, with gusts up to 65 mp and sustained winds of 25-30 mph. forecast. In coastal areas, flooding and rip currents are expected to produce hazardous conditions.

December 29, 2012 (San Diego’s East County ) -  A storm moving through our region today and tomorrow is expected to bring rain and in mountain areas, snow.  By tomorrow, snow is forecast to drop down to 4,000 feet—low enough to include Julian and  Lake Cuyamaca—popular destinations for families seeking to frolic in the snow.

Gusty winds are also forecast in mountains and on desert slopes late Sunday. The storm system is expected to move east and out of our county on Monday,  so if you’re planning a trip to the mountains it’s best to wait until after the weekend.

December 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory in effect from 10 p.m. tonight, with frost likely again Thursday night.  The warning includes San Diego County valleys, desert areas and wind-sheltered locations west of the mountains.

Damage to sensitive plants is likely when frost occurs, so sensitive plants should be covered to protect them.

By Miriam Raftery

December 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Following today’s heavy rains, snowfall is forecast to blanket local mountains as low as the 4,000 foot level tonight with several inches of snow at higher elevations. 

Flooding caused several serious accidents, including a semi-truck collision in the Bonita area and a fatal school bus –car collision on I-805.  Normally dry culverts and flood channels in the Mount Helix, Spring Valley and Bonita areas overflowed.

November 27, 2012 (San Diego)- A storm brewing over the northeast Pacific is expected to bring powerful swells and waves up to 10 feet high to San Diego’s coast this week, with the biggest breakers expected on Friday.  But dudes, don’t grab those surfboards and head west--according to the National Weather Service, “very strong rip currents will make for dangerous swimming conditions.” 

November 9, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Wind gusts up to 65 mph  and heavy snowfall in San Diego’s mountains are forecast for tonight through Saturday, with snow falling to the 4,000 foot level tonight in areas including Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna and Ranchita. Up to a foot of snow may fall on higher elevations, with 3 to 6 inches above 4,500 feet.

In valley and desert areas, rainfall and gusty winds are forecast as well by the National Weather Service in San Diego.