Pacific storm to hit San Diego County with heavy rain, wild winds, 10-foot waves and mountain snow

An Alaskan storm will cycle through San Diego County Monday through Thursday, dropping 1 to 2 inches of rain in some areas, a half-foot of snow on Mount Laguna, winds gusting to 45 mph, and waves in the 8-to-10 foot range at local beaches, the National Weather Service says.

The system also could trigger perilous thunderstorms and lightning, prevent daytime highs from rising above the low 60s, and provide Anza Borrego Desert State Park with rain that would produce a more lustrous bloom among desert wildflowers.

Forecasters say the storm could be even more consequential across other parts of Southern California, making driving tricky in the Cajon Pass and dropping 2 to 3 feet of snow at some ski resorts, notably Big Bear.

The storm could be the start of a longer period of cold, wet weather that could last through the end of the month. “The storm window is open,” said Adam Roser, a weather service forecaster.

Early forecast models suggest that the first wave of the storm will arrive Monday morning, then intensify in the afternoon and evening as it spreads across the county. The rain will fall on and off on Tuesday and Wednesday with additional moisture likely on Thursday and possibly even Friday.

San Diego could get about an inch of rain during that period, although forecasters cautioned that the figure could be significantly below or above that level. Rain will be heavier in the mountains.

San Diego International Airport has recorded...