Public Safety

Heavy Snow Expected During Cold Winter Storm

Snow covered roads at Palomar Mountain
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The National Weather Service is forecasting a major winter storm for San Diego County. A Winter Storm Warning was issued through Saturday for San Diego County Mountains.

Meteorologist Alex Tardy says cold temperatures and precipitation from an atmospheric river could “set the stage for unprecedented snowfall.”  Tardy expects freezing temperatures at 1,500 to 2,000 feet and says, “This is major snowfall.  It’s not too often that we talk about one to three feet of snow above four thousand feet.”

Visit AlertSanDiego.org for more information on the storm and to register for AlertSanDiego, the regions emergency mass notification system.

Make sure you are prepared if you need to travel through San Diego’s mountains.

  • Be weather wise and know the weather forecast during your travel.
  • Limit travel during and after a winter storm.
  • Keep gas tanks full and phones charged and keep an emergency preparedness kit with you.
  • Keep jumper cables, blankets and other winter supplies in your vehicle.

Snow chains may be required on certain roads and highways.  Chain controls, road condition updates and other safety advisories about County-maintained roads are posted on the Department of Public Works Facebook and Twitter sites.

Chuck Westerheide is a group communications officer with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact