Less than two weeks after a devastating winter storm led to widespread flooding and emergency declarations, San Diego is now preparing for yet another significant series of rainy and blustery days. On Thursday, a winter storm fueled by an atmospheric river reached San Diego County, bringing heavy showers and potential damage.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the entire county, with a more elevated flood advisory specifically for areas in North County San Diego, including Oceanside, Carlsbad, Temecula, Vista, San Clemente, Encinitas, Poway, Ramona, Del Mar, and Fallbrook. These areas were experiencing thunderstorms and heavy rain, heightening the risk of flooding.

Already, half an inch to 1.25 inches of rain had fallen, and there was a forecast for another inch of rain throughout the day. Localized flooding is expected, particularly along the coast and in inland valleys, with rainfall rates ranging from a half-inch to nearly an inch per hour.

Furthermore, the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the coast and inland valleys, as the region is expected to experience very gusty onshore winds. Gusts could reach 40-50 mph along the coast, peaking near 45 mph inland. In the mountains, gusts of up to 40 mph are also possible.

The San Diego River at Fashion Valley was under a flood warning, with expectations that it would crest at 10.3 feet later that evening. Impacts would be visible once the river reached 7.5 feet, with parking garages in the Fashion Valley area flooding at 9 feet. At this stage, the parking garages would have around 3 feet of water at the lowest levels, potentially impacting the trolley system.

Coastal communities were advised of a high-surf advisory, with wave heights of 8-10 feet expected until Saturday morning. Fortunately, coastal flooding was not anticipated due to normal tides.

In terms of precipitation, the mountains may receive some snow at the highest elevations, particularly Mount Laguna and Palomar. There is a chance of 1-3 inches of snowfall overnight on Friday.

Looking ahead, another storm system is predicted to arrive on Sunday, potentially lasting deep into the following week. This could bring several days of rain, continuing the wet weather pattern San Diego has been experiencing lately.

The upcoming storm comes just over a week after a historic 1000-year flood ravaged parts of San Diego County. While not characterized by unusually heavy rainfall, the ill-prepared storm systems resulted in the destruction of hundreds of homes. The most severely affected areas were Encanto, Logan Heights, Mountain View, and Southcrest.

As San Diego braces for yet another storm, the local authorities are working diligently to respond to the needs of the community and mitigate the potential impacts of flooding and strong winds. Residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this turbulent weather period.