HEAVY RAINS, FLASH FLOODS AND POSSIBLE TORNADOS FORECAST

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By Miriam Raftery

Updated February 27, 2014 (San Diego) – A powerful storm is set to sweep into the region Thursday through Sunday, bringing some of the most severe weather seen in decades, weather experts predict.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning and a flash flood watch from late Thursday through Saturday night.  Thunderstorms may bring waterspouts or even tornadoes, most likely in coastal areas.

 Sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts of 60 miles per hour or higher are forecast for mountain and desert areas in East County.   Blowing sand and dust may reduce visibility.

Heavy rainfall may produce flash flooding and debris flows in mountain areas and coastal foothills.  Larger flash floods and debris flows  have potential to damage roads and bridges, the National Weather Service cautions.  Mud flows are also likely in areas burned by recent fires.

Heavy rains are forecast with substantial snow at higher elevations. Up to seven inches of rain may fall on south-facing mountain slopes, with three to five inches of rain in other mountain areas, up to three inches in valleys and coastal regions, and up to an inch in the desert. 

Snow levels could fall to 5500 feet by Saturday night, with up to 10 inches of snow expected above 6000 feet in elevation. 

You can monitor official National Weather Service reports and forecasts at  www.Weather.gov/SanDiego.

Southern California Weather Authority, a private forecast site, has issued a statement indicating that “Southern California is about to have one of the strongest dynamical storms in may years, with all the ingredients there for a severe weather event, including the possibility of tornado dynamics.  Dynamics like this have not been seen in Southern California since March 1983, when numerous tornado reports across the Basins hit,” the statement concluded, adding, “The tornado environment is increasing.”


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