Scattered showers expected to taper off

SAN DIEGO - Scattered showers continued to fall around San Diego County early today but were expected to taper off this afternoon, meteorologists said.

A cold low-pressure system from the north doused the county Monday and brought strong winds to the mountains and deserts, according to the National Weather Service. A high-wind warning for mountain and desert locales remained in effect until 8 a.m.

Monday's rainfall wrecked havoc on local roadways. According to the California Highway Patrol, there were 191 accidents from 12:01 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Monday and more than half of those occurred between 6 a.m. and noon. On a normal ''good weather'' day, the CHP handles an average of 50 to 75 crashes.

A high-pressure zone was expected to begin building in the area Wednesday, bringing higher temperatures that will prevail into the weekend, according to the NWS.