Water flows in rivers and spillways are ramping up again across San Diego County after a new Pacific storm moved through the county early Thursday, bringing a fifth straight day of precipitation.
The city of Fallbrook was particularly hard hit, with 0.67 inches of rain falling, bringing the city's five-day precipitation total to 5.19 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Oceanside recorded 0.42 inches, pushing the total to 4.14 inches.
San Diego International Airport received 0.22 inches of precipitation this week, increasing the total rainfall to 2.61 inches. The city has received about 8.25 inches of rain since the rainy season began on Oct. 1. The average rainfall at the airport during the rainy season, which ends on September 30th, is 9.79 inches.
Forecasters say San Diego could approach 9.79 degrees by Saturday as intermittent rain showers are expected over the next few days.
The rainy season, also known by weather forecasters as the “year of water,” begins on October 1 of each year and ends on September 30 of the following year. This period was created long ago by the federal government to ensure that the total precipitation for the year takes into account winter snowfall and summer rains that are more common in other parts of the country.
This system also produces large amounts of snow. The National Weather Service said the Julian area will likely see about 3 inches of precipitation, with the upper Palomar and Laguna mountains approaching 1 foot.
The California Highway Patrol requires drivers east of Warner Springs near Montezuma Valley Road and San Felipe Road to wear chains.
“We won't have a day of blue skies until Sunday,” said John Seok, a meteorologist with the San Diego Weather Bureau.
The county was hit hard by a stronger Pacific Storm late Tuesday night and into Wednesday. The system brought brief periods of heavy rain to Otay Ranch and nearby areas around 11:30 pm on Tuesday.
The Marine Corps was investigating whether severe weather played a role in the crash of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter east of San Diego late Tuesday night. The Marine Corps announced Thursday morning that the bodies of five Marines on board the ship had been found.
It was a week of memorable weather.
Tornado warnings were issued for parts of south and east counties early Tuesday, surprising many people in areas where such threats are rare.
Nipho, a 12-year-old African elephant, runs, splashes and plays a trumpet in the rain at the San Diego Zoo.
A series of storms that have hit the region since January 22 have also caused new casualties. A man was found dead in Forester Creek in Santee on Tuesday.
The coroner's office confirmed Wednesday that his death was caused by the storm. His name has not been released and it was not clear when he died.
He is the third person known to have died in the rain over the past two weeks. Last month, a 67-year-old man died in a car crash, and on Tuesday, a 61-year-old West African man drowned in the Tijuana River while trying to enter the United States.
Two other deaths are suspected to be related to the storm. Both victims were found in Santee after the explosive storm on Jan. 22. The woman, still unidentified, was found in Forester Creek, and the 48-year-old man's exact location has not been released by authorities.
Also Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom asked President Joe Biden to declare a major disaster due to last month's devastating flooding. The region would then receive federal aid to help people recover.
More than 800 homes, many with low flood insurance coverage and in underserved areas, were damaged in the Jan. 22 storm, according to the request. County officials separately said the flooding cost the region more than $100 million in emergency response costs and damage to public infrastructure alone.
Workers repair the Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in La Jolla amid rain clouds.
(Gary Robbins/San Diego Union-Tribune)
Wednesday's weather had a very different impact across the county.
A snow day was declared Wednesday for Julian Union Elementary School District, Julian Union High School District, Mountain Empire Unified School District, Spencer Valley School District and Warner Unified School District due to the approaching snowstorm. Julian and Warner districts also planned to start school later Thursday.
By the time the snow day was announced, large amounts of snow had fallen further afield in Southern California's ski-related mountains. More than 3 feet of snow was reported in Mount Baldy, 38 inches in Mountain High and 27 inches in Big Bear.
Things were much different at Del Mar's dog beach. There, volleyball players made their way to the net through clouds as 7-foot waves crashed.
Union-Tribune staff writers Terry Figueroa, Lindsey Winkley and Caleb Lunetta contributed. report.
