The National Weather Service San Diego (NWS San Diego) forecasts blustery southwestern to westerly winds for parts of California, with gusts ranging from 45 to 55 mph and isolated gusts up to 65 mph in mountainous and desert regions this afternoon through tonight. Similarly, they've issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Riverside and San Bernardino County Mountains, where significant snowfall is expected from this afternoon until Monday afternoon, as stated by NWS San Diego . Southern California residents should brace for a pervasive cold front as a low-pressure system from the north is set to imbue the area with cooler temperatures, gusty winds, intermittent showers coupled with mountain snow through Tuesday, as NWS San Diego details in their latest forecast discussion.
The Region will be exposed to an onslaught of wintery conditions, with snow levels possibly dropping to as low as 3,300 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains and forecasted snow accumulations ranging from 12-18 inches above 6,000 feet. Meanwhile, the snow level is projected to rise to around 4500 feet tonight and wrap around 5000 feet on Sunday before backpedaling to around 4000 to 4500 feet for Sunday night and Monday, making travel and outdoor activities potentially treacherous in these areas. Maritime operations are not exempt from the sweeping weather changes, with the NWS advisory indicating that "Southerly winds will strengthen this morning and continue at times through tonight, with gusts 20-25 knots in the inner coastal waters, strongest near the San Diego Bay entrance.
" Boaters and marine enthusiasts need to heed the Small Craft Advisory in effect from 10 AM this morning to 4 AM PST Sunday for coastal waters from San Mateo Point southward to the Mexican Border as rain showers are anticipated to commence this afternoon and bolster into the evening, with continuance expected through around Tuesday. Moreover, a Wind Advisory is likewise in place from 10 AM today to 6 AM PST Sunday for the Apple and Lucerne Valleys as well as the San Diego County Deserts, forecasting that the mountains and deserts could see wind gusts up to 55 mph in the favored locations while the coastal and valley areas could experience wind gusts up to 30 mph in some areas; this potent combination of inclement weather factors signifies that residents, especially in the forecasted zones, should rearrange travel plans where possible and prepare their homes to mitigate potential wind and water damage. In the wake of the system, fairer weather is predicted for the mid to latter part of the ongoing week, with temperatures slowly climbing back to normalcy.
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Environment
San Diego on Alert: NWS Issues Wind, Winter Storm, and Small Craft Advisories Amidst Gusty Winds and Snowfall
NWS San Diego issues wind advisories and a Winter Storm Warning for California, forecasting gusts up to 65 mph and significant snowfall.