SAN DIEGO — Rain that began Sunday afternoon in Southern California and carried on through the night made for a soggy morning today, further complicating matters for people trying to reach their holiday destinations or wrap up their Christmas shopping.
The storm is the first of two Pacific storms that will hit Southern California this week. A colder cell arriving Christmas night and lasting through Thursday will see temperatures plummeting and rain levels increasing, weather officials said.
Monday was mostly cloudy in San Diego County.
"Most substantial rain and mountain snow will occur through Monday, with another round Christmas night through Thursday," a weather service report said.
Localized urban flooding is possible with the flash flood risk low, the NWS said.
After a break on Tuesday, a cold air mass is expected to move over the area Wednesday, leading to a colder rain storm and lower snow level. That rain could potentially begin Wednesday morning, but it is more likely to start Wednesday afternoon and continue into Thursday, forecasters said.
The snow level could drop to 4,000 feet or lower during that storm.
The Inclement Weather Shelter Program at Father Joe's Villages and Connections Housing Downtown for homeless San Diegans has been activated by the San Diego Housing Commission for Monday, Dec. 23.
For more information about this shelter program or other county-wide shelter programs, dial 2-1-1, or visit www.211sandiego.org.
Shelter nights are provided in the following circumstances:
- The temperature is 50 degrees or below and there is a 40 percent chance of rain;
- The temperature is 45 degrees or below regardless of a chance of rain, or;
- In exceptional weather conditions, such as one or more inches of rain within 24 hours and sustained high winds.