Cold Storm Touching Down Throughout SD County

A cold, windy and wet winter storm came down the coast into San Diego County today.

At midmorning, a forecaster said the area was getting “the initial pre-frontal showers, before the cold front later this afternoon.’’ National Weather Service Forecaster Tina Stall said “the wind is starting to pick up.’’

The Farmers Insurance Open professional golf tournament experienced delays. The 10 a.m. start time was suspended about 40 minutes after it began.

• Related: Brown, Choi Share Lead in Farmers Insurance Open

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for the mountains and deserts for the 24 hours through 6 p.m. tonight. Wind gusts could reach as high as 85 miles per hour in the mountains.

A high surf advisory was in effect until 10 p.m. for San Diego coastal areas, including strong rip currents and minor beach erosion expected from 8-foot wave sets.

Julian, Pine Valley and the Laguna Mountains should see snow, including the higher elevations of Interstate 8 east of Alpine, as the snow level could drop to the 3,000-foot elevation by Monday morning, forecasters said.

Up to an inch of rain was forecast for San Diego’s coast and inland valley, as much as three inches in the mountains. Minor urban flooding is likely, according to the weather service.

The expected storm is keeping crews busy clearing out drainage areas.

The Farmers Insurance Open professional golf tournament at Torrey Pines moved tee times up this morning, in an effort to beat the rain. Play was suspended for a brief time in the 8 o’clock hour.

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--City News Service