According to the National Weather Service (NWS), maximum wind gusts are expected to reach speeds of approximately 26 to 33 miles per hour along the coast and in valley areas, with speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour in mountainous areas.

 

Some light drizzles will begin Thursday night with a strengthening of the marine layer before more intense precipitation begins at night, continuing until Friday night.

 

Rain accumulations are expected to range from around a quarter of an inch near the coast to about an inch in the mountains, with some locally higher accumulations, according to the NWS. The heaviest rainfall is expected from Thursday night into Friday afternoon.

 

Meanwhile, Arctic cold air mixed with the system will lower snow levels to around 3,000 to 3,500 feet, among the lowest the region has seen this year.

 

With the change in snow level, low-elevation mountain communities in San Diego, such as Julian and Pine Valley, could see several inches of snow by Friday. According to the NWS, in these areas, six to eight inches could fall, with eight to 12 expected for the region's peaks.

 

Forecasters say the cold air could also create conditions for thunderstorm development on Friday afternoon, as well as for small hail or graupel from those or some of the most intense rains.

 

The weekend will dry out again with a high-pressure system settling in on Saturday before another low-pressure system brings some rain Sunday night into Monday.