The Pacific storm that makes landfall Tuesday afternoon will be larger than expected, dropping 2.5 to 3 inches of rain on parts of San Diego County’s north shore.
Inland areas like Escondido could receive up to 2 inches, and possibly 1.5 inches could fall in parts of San Diego and Imperial Beach, the National Weather Service said.
“This atmospheric river storm is stronger than the one we just had,” said Phil Gonsalves, an analyst with the weather service.
The system, like many before it this winter, is drawing in a lot of extra moisture from the subtropics.
According to analysts, the storm will move into the northern coastal area of the county in mid-afternoon and then move south and east. The heaviest rain is expected to fall from midnight to 4 am Wednesday, with sporadic showers expected to last through Wednesday afternoon.
The system is too warm to produce snow in the mountains of San Diego County.