Cold and rainy today with possibility of more snow in mountains

Another blast of cold, wet winter weather will arrive in San Diego and Riverside Countjes today, ushering in the possibly of some snow in the mountains, meteorologists said.

Today's storm will be a follow-up to last week's torrential rains and will arrive out of the northwest early this morning, according to the National Weather Service.

North San Diego County will get more of the moisture than communities to the south, according to the NWS. The highest mountain peaks, meanwhile, may get an inch or two of snow.

Rainfall totals from the blustery system, which will weaken by this afternoon before moving out of the region tonight, will range from as much as two-thirds of an inch in the valleys and near an inch on west-facing slopes, the Weather Service reported.

The Riverside County mountains were expected to get 3-8 inches of snow above 6,000 feet; however, there also could be isolated amounts near a foot on the highest peaks.

Due to heavily saturated ground throughout the area, runoff will likely be immediate and fast-moving, possibly causing more of the types of flooding, mud-slide and debris-flow problems wreaked by prolonged downpours earlier this month, the NWS advised.

The storm also will likely generate 35-45 mph winds, with gusts around 65 mph, in the mountains. A high wind warning for the mountains is in effect until 4 a.m. Thursday.

Lesser winds of 20-30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, were expected in the valleys. A wind advisory for the valleys was scheduled to in effect from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. Thursday.

On Thursday and Friday, temperatures in the county will likely drop 10 or 20 degrees below seasonal averages, causing widespread frost in low-lying communities.

Mostly sunny skies before rain, wind, snow and cold temps

Area-residents can expect to soak up one more day of mostly sunny skies before another blast of cold, wet winter weather returns.

The follow-up storm to last week's torrential rains is expected to arrive out of the northwest late tonight, ushering in a cold snap, periods of heavy precipitation and some mountain snow, according to meteorologists.

Rainfall totals from the blustery system, which will weaken Wednesday afternoon before moving out of the region that night, will range from as much as two-thirds of an inch in the inland valleys, upwards of 1 1/4 inches on west- facing slopes and a half-inch or so in the deserts, the National Weather Service reported.

The mountains, meanwhile, should get about 3 to 8 inches of snow. The highest peaks could get near a foot of snow.

Due to heavily saturated ground throughout the area, runoff will likely be immediate and fast-moving, possibly causing more of the types of flooding, mud-slide and debris-flow problems wreaked by prolonged downpours earlier this month, the NWS advised.

The storm also will generate stiff winds, especially in the mountains, where gusts may exceed 60 mph and reduce visibility to near zero at times while possibly downing trees and power lines, according to the weather service.

On Thursday and Friday, temperatures in the county likely will drop 10 or 20 degrees below seasonal averages, causing widespread frost in low-lying inland valleys.

The National Weather Service has issued a weather statement for southwest California late Tuesday night and Wednesday followed by very cold weather.

Weather conditions expected include rain, possible flooding of low-lying areas, snow, wind, and temperatures below season averages.

Areas concerned include Orange County coastal areas-San Diego County coastal areas-San Bernardino and Riverside County valleys-the Inland Empire-

San Diego County valleys-San Bernardino County mountains-

Riverside County mountains-Santa Ana mountains and foothills-

San Diego County mountains-Apple and Lucerne valleys-

Coachella valley-San Diego County deserts-

A strong storm approaching from the northwest will move through late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning with showers lingering through the day Wednesday. This fast moving system should tap into deep moisture resulting in a period of moderate to heavy precipitation with the frontal passage Wednesday morning.

The snow level will be near 6000 feet in the northern areas to 6500 feet farther south...then lower rapidly behind the cold front to about 4000 feet. However...most of the widespread significant precipitation will be over by the time the snow level lowers to 4000 ft.

Rainfall totals should range from about a third to two thirds of an inch in the coastal and valleys areas with three quarters of an inch to one and a quarter inch on the coastal mountain slopes. There will generally be more rain in the north and less to the south. The high deserts should get up to half an inch of rain with less than a quarter of an inch in the lower deserts.

The additional rainfall will cause rapid runoff and flooding due to nearly saturated ground from recent rain. This could result in flooding of low lying areas. There could be debris flows in and below recently burned areas as well as rock and mud slides on steep terrain...and further erosion of rain soaked hillsides.

San Bernardino County mountain resort levels and the higher Riverside County mountains should receive about 3 to 8 inches of snow. However...there could be locally near a foot of snow on the highest peaks. There could also be locally greater accumulations during snow showers Wednesday afternoon and evening. The higher San Diego county mountains could get an inch or two of snow. Cold air damming on the north side of the San Bernardino mountains could result in snow flurries in the high deserts as well.

Strong gusty west to northwest winds will accompany this system...becoming even stronger behind the front Wednesday night. The strongest winds will be in the mountains and high deserts where there could be wind gusts over 60 mph. These winds could cause broken tree limbs...downed trees and downed power lines. Near zero visibility will be possible at times due to snow and blowing snow.

Dry cold northwest flow aloft will bring temperatures about 10 to 20 degrees below seasonal averages Thursday and Friday. There will likely be widespread frost in the inland valleys Thursday and Friday nights.

People traveling late Tuesday and Wednesday should closely monitor the latest national weather service forecasts and statements and plan accordingly. The rain will cause slick roads and motorists should use extra caution. Do not drive through flooded areas or around barricades. If traveling into the mountains...be prepared for

the possibility of winter storm conditions with very low wind chill temperatures