Snow closes Julian schools

All Julian schools were closed today, Feb. 16, because of the several inches of snow dropped on the mountain town by a cold Pacific storm expected to clear out of San Diego County by midday.

The storm, which arrived late Wednesday morning, is one of two that struck the region less than 48 hours apart this week. According to the National Weather Service, this week’s weather came out of the Gulf of Alaska.

A winter storm warning for the mountains is scheduled to expire at 1 p.m. Also, a wind advisory for the mountains is in effect until 7 a.m. Friday.

The snow level sits at 2,500 to 3,000 feet, with four to eight inches of snow accumulation between 3,000 and 6,000 feet, and up to 12 inches above 6,000 feet, according to the NWS.

“Residents and travelers into higher elevations in the mountains should be prepared for hazardous winter weather and possible road closures,” according to an NWS advisory. “Carry chains and take extra food, water and clothing.’’

Mountain areas also saw 15- to 25-mph winds, with gusts up to 45 miles per hour. In addition to snow and gusty winds in higher elevations, the latest storm dropped occasionally heavy rain on the already saturated region.

Preliminary rainfall totals from the second storm as of 8 p.m. Wednesday were 0.28 in Ramona; 0.33 in Santa Ysabel; 0.2 in Julian; 0.03 in Borrego Springs; 0.42 inches in Vista; 0.1 at Lindbergh Field; 0.24 in Chula Vista; 0.36 in Fallbrook; 0.22 in Rancho Bernardo; 0.26 in La Mesa; 0.32 in Alpine; and 0.24 in Descanso.