SAN DIEGO, CA — The Easter Bunny’s going to need an umbrella and snow shoes because an atmospheric river-driven storm system is expected to bring heavy snow, rain and a chance of mudslides to Southern California throughout the holiday weekend.
Local mountains could receive up to two feet of snow while coastal San Diego areas may get about an inch of rain over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Foothill areas could see more than two inches of rain along with an increased risk of mud and rockslides, the weather service warned.
“Nothing says Spring like snow and blowing snow in the mountains. We expect up to 2′ of snow at the higher elevations, with moderate-strong wind gusts,” the National Weather Service posted on X. “The good news for Sunday is, it likely won’t rain all day, but it’s hard to tell when the breaks will occur and there’s a slight chance of thunderstorms. Plan ahead and make sure you can get inside quickly!”
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A broad trough of low pressure gathered strength as it rotated over the northwest Pacific, making landfall in Northern California and washing over Southern California by Friday night, according to the weather service.
“This could be an efficient rain producer, as (models) show an atmospheric river pointing straight into Southern California Saturday into Sunday,” the NWS said in a statement. “The timing and intensity of the precipitation remain in flux, but … regardless of the exact track, cooler temperatures, gusty onshore winds and widespread precipitation continue to appear likely for the weekend.”
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The weather service acknowledged that rainfall area could be “heavy at times” on Friday night and Saturday. Lighter showers were predicted on Easter Sunday.
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Rain is in the forecast after midnight Friday with lows in the 50s. The high temperature in San Diego on Saturday is expected to be a brisk 58 degrees, according to the weather service. The San Diego region faces a 90 percent chance of rain on Saturday and 80 percent chance on Easter Sunday.
The storm is expected to last into Monday.
Snow on the Grapevine and passes could make for rough travel for people making holiday road trips. Commuters are advised to expect delays and monitor road conditions.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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