Weather
Southern California Flood Watch Oct 10-11: Rain Up to 1 Inch/Hour
San Diego, CA – A Flood Watch covering large portions of Southern California begins Saturday night as periods of heavy rainfall threaten roads, mountain communities and low lying areas across San Dieg
By Miles Carter · 2026-10-10T14:24:54.856Z
San Diego, CA – A Flood Watch covering large portions of Southern California begins Saturday night as periods of heavy rainfall threaten roads, mountain communities and low lying areas across San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties through Sunday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in San Diego, the Flood Watch takes effect at 11 p.m. PDT Saturday and continues until 8 p.m. PDT Sunday, Oct. 11, with the heaviest rainfall expected late Saturday night through Sunday afternoon.
Affected communities include San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, El Cajon, Carlsbad, Poway, Julian and Borrego Springs.
The watch also extends into the Coachella Valley, including Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, Coachella and La Quinta, along with mountain and desert communities such as Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Victorville and Hesperia.
Forecasters warn that rainfall intensity could become significant, especially across mountainous terrain.
Mountain locations could experience rainfall rates between 0.70 and 1 inch per hour, while desert communities may receive between 0.50 and 0.70 inches per hour during heavier periods.
Along the San Diego coast and inland valleys, maximum rainfall rates could reach 0.50 to 0.60 inches per hour.
These rainfall rates could produce excessive runoff, causing creeks, streams and rivers to rise while increasing flooding concerns in low lying and flood prone locations.
Motorists traveling through mountain passes, desert highways and urban areas should remain alert for standing water and rapidly changing road conditions.
Residents near waterways and locations with a history of flooding should prepare to respond if conditions deteriorate.
A Flood Watch means flooding is possible, not necessarily occurring.
The National Weather Service urges residents to monitor updated forecasts and remain alert for possible Flood Warnings through Sunday evening.