Storm to Bring Weekend Cold Snap and Low Snow Level

Late Friday a cold storm system that may drop snow to an unusually low 2,000 to 2,500 feet is expected to arrive in San Diego County, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain is expected to soak the already damp region for the second week in a row starting Friday night, and the downpours should continue straight through at least part of Saturday morning, with periods of heavy rain and gusty winds.

Precipitation amounts are expected to range from three-quarters of an inch along the coast to more than three inches in the mountains.

A winter storm watch for the mountains and a flash flood watch for lower elevations are scheduled for Friday night through Saturday night.

The extra-cold front will put up a heavy winter chill with low nighttime temperatures that could dip into the low 30s in the valleys and low 20s in the East County highlands, the NWS reported.

Isolated thunderstorms are also possible on Saturday.

NWS expects 6 to 12 inches of snow above 3,500 feet and around 20 inches above 5,500 feet.

"With such low snow levels possible, this weather could be deadly for unprepared campers or hikers,'' the agency advised."

Due to the flash flood watch, sandbags are available at , located at 16966 Bernardo Center Dr. There is a limit of 10 per household.

City News Service contributed to this report.