Light rain arrived earlier than predicted Tuesday, Dec. 23, as North San Diego County braced for a wet Christmas week as weather officials and local governments advised residents to prepare for heavy rain, breezy conditions and possible flooding.
The National Weather Service in San Diego forecasts a strong storm system driven by an atmospheric river arriving midweek, with the heaviest rainfall expected on Christmas Eve and widespread showers continuing through the holiday.
Rain fell ahead of the storm, however, dropping a few hundredths of an inch in North County communities on Tuesday. National Weather Service numbers as of 6 p.m. showed that .14 inches fell in Oceanside, .06 in Carlsbad and .02 in Encinitas over a 24-hour period. Fallbrook also received .14 inches, while Escondido saw .04 inches.
Coastal communities are likely to see steady rain and gusty winds around Wednesday, with the potential for thunderstorms and localized rainfall totals ranging from moderate to significant.
The forecast predicts rainfall rates that could reach between 1 and 4 inches in some parts of North County and coastal wind gusts that may reach into the 20-30 mph range at times, according to forecasters. Locally heavy showers and the chance of thunderstorms are possible on Wednesday and into Christmas Day, with lingering scattered rain through Thursday and Friday before conditions gradually improve over the weekend.
Cities across the region are urging residents to take practical steps ahead of the storm and are staging sandbag stations, clearing drains and sharing safety tips.
In Encinitas, Public Works crews are monitoring flood-prone areas and removing debris to keep streets clear. The city has set up self-fillable sandbag stations for residents in flood-vulnerable locations and encourages people to sign up for emergency alerts through AlertSanDiego and the MyEncinitas app. Officials reminded residents to avoid walking or driving through moving water, noting even shallow flows can be dangerous.
Carlsbad officials advise people to slow down in wet conditions, secure loose outdoor items and use sandbags if their property is prone to flooding. The city’s guidance also highlights routine storm preparations like checking tires and windshield wipers ahead of the rain.
In San Marcos, city staff say they are monitoring storm activity and have made free sandbags available at Hollandia Park for residents. The city also listed basic precautions including keeping storm drains clear and having emergency supplies on hand. Officials urged people to stay informed through local alerts and to call emergency services if conditions warrant.
Vista has also issued weather preparedness reminders tied to forecasts of heavy rain and breezy conditions expected on Christmas Eve, urging residents to take simple preparatory steps such as securing loose items and planning travel with caution.
In Oceanside, the city’s storm preparedness page outlines recommendations for staying safe during prolonged wet weather, emphasizing securing outdoor property, avoiding unnecessary travel during peak rainfall, and staying informed via local alert systems.
Across North County, officials emphasize that this storm is typical of winter atmospheric river patterns and encourage early action to limit storm-related impacts to property and travel plans. Residents are advised to follow local updates and to treat weather forecasts as they evolve through the holiday week.
This report was partially written using artificial intelligence, then edited and fact-checked against source material. View our AI policy on the About Us page.
