More Rain, Gusty Winds Expected Sunday; Chains Required in Mountains

More rain and strong winds are expected Sunday as the tail-end of a storm sweeps over the region.

The storm dropped about 6 inches of snow in Julian and up to 10 inches in Mt. Laguna. Crews were plowing the roads at 7:45 a.m. and travel was not advised until roads were clear. Chain control was in effect on Sunrise Highway in Mt. Laguna and Palomar Mountain. Heavy snow, ice and high winds were reported on Interstate 8 from state Route 79 to Inkopah at about 8 a.m. Residents reported snow in Santa Ysabel Sunday morning, and snow fell in the highest elevations of Borrego Springs. Heavy snow was still falling in Wynola, near Julian. The snow level was down to 2,000 feet on parts of state Routes 76, 78 and 79 in East County Sunday morning. Monitor Patch for updates.

Downtown San Diego got about an inch of rain Saturday, with spots like Valley Center reporting closer to 2 inches, and National Weather Service forecasters said isolated thunderstorms and hail were likely Sunday morning, followed by non-electrical showers in the afternoon.

Highs will be in the mid 50s with winds out of the west at 20-30 mph, with gusts possible up to 45 mph. That prompted the NWS to issue a wind advisory, effective through 9 Sunday night.

The storm has churned up the surf, and a big, wind-driven westerly swell will be running, producing surf 6-8 feet. Some sets may be roll in around 10 feet on west-facing beaches. A NWS high surf advisory will be in effect through 2 p.m. Monday.

By Sunday evening, most of the moisture should have moved east, but showers will remain in the forecast.

Snow will fall at elevations of about 4,000 feet or more, with as much as a foot falling on the highest peaks. About 3 inches is expected to stick around for a few days. Winds in the mountains could gust up to about 50 mph. An NWS winter storm warning will be in effect until 9 tonight.

The blustery wet weather made for tough driving conditions Saturday. A downpour about 2 p.m. flooded Interstate 8 near West Main Street in El Cajon, and a clogged storm drain caused flooding on Interstate 5 near Market Street.

A big rock fell into the northbound lane of Sunrise Highway near Mt. Laguna, some 17 miles north of Interstate 8 at Pine Valley.

Wind blew a tree into a power pole, knocking out electricity to some San Diego Gas & Electric customers in the Jamacha, West Jamul and Indian Springs area, according to a spokeswoman for the utility. The blusters also downed a power pole in Encinitas. The pole had some rotting inside and would be replaced, she said.

-- City News Service contributed to this report.