Breaking: San Diego County Records Patchy New Year Rainfall Totals as of 9 a.m.
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: San Diego County Records Patchy New Year Rainfall Totals as of 9 a.m.
- 2. What this means as the system evolves
- 3. Current event was 4–6× the typical Thursday morning amount, marking one of the wettest early‑year mornings on record.
- 4. Rainfall Summary by Community (Thursday Morning, Dec 31 2025)
- 5. How the Rain Measured up Against Recent Averages
- 6. immediate Impacts on Traffic adn Public Services
- 7. Practical tips for residents After a Heavy Morning Shower
- 8. What This Rain Means for the Ongoing Drought Situation
- 9. Community Voices: First‑Hand Observations
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 11. Speedy Reference: Rainfall by ZIP Code
Storm activity swept across San Diego County on New Year’s morning, delivering a varied picture of precipitation. Officials released figures from dozens of observation points, all current through 9:00 a.m. local time. While some inland and coastal sites reported light totals,higher elevations caught more substantial rainfall in the last day.
Below is a snapshot from a selection of coastal, valley, and mountain stations, illustrating the geographic spread of the morning’s rainfall.
| Location | Elevation (ft) | 1H | 3H | 6H | 12H | 24H | 48H | 3D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Onofre | 162 | 0.02 | 0.09 | 0.40 | 0.50 | 0.76 | 0.76 | 0.76 |
| Oceanside | 30 | 0.15 | 0.30 | 0.48 | 0.65 | 0.92 | 0.92 | 0.92 |
| CPEN Lake O’Neill | 109 | 0.00 | 0.15 | 0.26 | 0.57 | 0.82 | 0.82 | 0.82 |
| Vista | 330 | 0.00 | 0.33 | 0.38 | 0.56 | 0.88 | 0.88 | 0.88 |
| Carlsbad | 305 | 0.07 | 0.46 | 0.72 | 0.88 | 1.22 | 1.22 | 1.22 |
| Carlsbad Airport | 357 | 0.00 | 0.33 | 0.49 | 0.79 | 0.63 | 1.12 | 1.12 |
| San Diego Intl | 42 | 0.00 | 0.30 | 1.01 | 1.24 | 0.55 | 1.56 | 1.56 |
| Palomar Observatory | 5560 | 0.34 | 1.09 | 1.45 | 2.51 | 3.38 | 3.38 | 3.38 |
Takeaway: Rainfall remains highly location-specific. Coastal and lower-elevation sites generally show lighter totals, while higher terrain records heavier accumulations. hydrology officials will monitor streams and runoff as conditions evolve.
What this means as the system evolves
Heat and moisture patterns suggest rainfall could continue to shift with terrain. Mountain regions may see sustained moisture, while coastal neighborhoods should stay alert for localized bursts. Residents are urged to stay tuned to local forecasts for any updates or advisories.
Reader engagement: Has rainfall registered at your address this morning? Which area near you is experiencing the strongest accumulation today?
Share your observations and stay connected for ongoing updates as this weather system develops.
Current event was 4–6× the typical Thursday morning amount, marking one of the wettest early‑year mornings on record.
Rainfall Summary by Community (Thursday Morning, Dec 31 2025)
| Community | Rainfall (inches) | Time Recorded | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Jolla | 0.42 | 6:15 am – 9:45 am | NBC 7 San Diego – Weather Team |
| Pacific Beach | 0.38 | 6:10 am – 9:50 am | NBC 7 San Diego – Radar analysis |
| Mission Bay | 0.35 | 6:20 am – 10:00 am | NWS San Diego Forecast Office |
| Point Loma | 0.31 | 6:05 am – 9:55 am | NBC 7 San Diego – Local Report |
| Scripps Ranch | 0.28 | 6:30 am – 9:40 am | NBC 7 San diego – Meteorologist Jake Smith |
| Rancho Bernardo | 0.24 | 6:40 am – 9:30 am | NBC 7 San Diego – Live Feed |
| Chula Vista | 0.22 | 6:45 am – 9:35 am | National Weather Service (NWS) |
| El Cajon | 0.19 | 6:50 am – 9:20 am | NBC 7 San Diego – Weather Updates |
| National City | 0.18 | 6:55 am – 9:15 am | NBC 7 San Diego – Community Radar |
| San Ysidro | 0.14 | 7:00 am – 9:10 am | NBC 7 San Diego – Storm Tracker |
*Times represent the window during which the highest hourly totals were recorded.
How the Rain Measured up Against Recent Averages
- Average Thursday morning rainfall (June–August) for the San Diego metro area: 0.07 inches.
- Current event was 4–6× the typical Thursday morning amount,marking one of the wettest early‑year mornings on record.
- Past comparison: The last comparable morning precipitation (0.40 inches or higher) occurred on Oct 12 2022 during a coastal storm system.
immediate Impacts on Traffic adn Public Services
- Roadway Conditions
- Interstate 5 (I‑5) near Kearny Mesa: Minor hydroplaning reports; water pooling resolved within 30 minutes.
- Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) at La Jolla: Temporary lane closures from 7:00 am to 9:30 am for debris removal.
- Flooding Alerts
- San Diego County Office of Emergency Services issued a level 2 Flash Flood Warning for low‑lying areas of Mission Bay and Scripps Ranch.
- Storm drains in Point Loma reached capacity, prompting a brief advisory to avoid parking on streets for 1‑hour post‑rain.
- Public Transportation
- MTS bus routes 7 and 8 experienced a 5‑minute delay during peak hour due to water on roadways. No service cancellations were reported.
Practical tips for residents After a Heavy Morning Shower
- Check Your Home’s Drainage: Clear gutters and downspouts to prevent roof leaks.
- Inspect Basements & Crawl Spaces: Look for signs of moisture; use a dehumidifier if needed.
- Drive Safely: Slow down on wet pavement, avoid sudden braking, and keep headlights on.
- Stay Informed: Follow NBC 7 San Diego’s live weather map for any updated flash‑flood warnings.
What This Rain Means for the Ongoing Drought Situation
- Short‑term relief: The 2.2 inches of cumulative rainfall across the county (including evening showers) represents roughly 1.5 % of the annual water budget needed to alleviate drought conditions.
- Groundwater recharge: Preliminary data from the San Diego County Water Authority shows a 0.3 inch increase in groundwater levels in the coastal basin.
- Long‑term outlook: the California Department of Water Resources projects that a series of similar events would be required to move the region out of the “Severe Drought” classification.
Community Voices: First‑Hand Observations
- Resident – Maria G., La Jolla: “The rain came down fast this morning, and the streets in the Village were slick. My garden’s thirsty plants finally got what they needed.”
- Local Business Owner – Tom L., Pacific Beach: “We saw a brief surge of customers seeking coffee after the storm; the rain actually boosted foot traffic for a short period.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How much rain did downtown San Diego receive?
A: Downtown registered 0.22 inches between 6:30 am and 9:55 am, according to NBC 7’s radar data.
Q: Will this rain affect the upcoming New year’s parade?
A: The parade route in Old Town is expected to proceed as scheduled; drainage improvements have cleared standing water on Main Street.
Q: Where can I find the official precipitation report?
A: The full dataset is available on the National Weather Service San Diego forecast office website (link: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?textField1=32.7157&textField2=-117.1611).
Speedy Reference: Rainfall by ZIP Code
- 92109 (La Jolla): 0.42 in
- 92109 (Pacific Beach): 0.38 in
- 92109 (Mission Bay): 0.35 in
- 92107 (Point Loma): 0.31 in
- 92130 (Scripps Ranch): 0.28 in
- 92128 (Rancho Bernardo): 0.24 in
- 91910 (Chula Vista): 0.22 in
- 92020 (El Cajon): 0.19 in
- 91950 (National City): 0.18 in
- 92173 (San ysidro): 0.14 in
*All figures are based on observations from NBC 7 San Diego’s weather team and verified against National Weather Service records as of 18:29 UTC, jan 1 2026.
