San Diego weather is expected to turn wet late Thursday night through Friday morning, with the National Weather Service saying more rain rounds are likely over the weekend. Residents of San Diego County should plan for the first showers after dark and the possibility of added rain before the weekend ends.
The forecast points to the highest rainfall amounts near the coast, while winds could also increase over the mountains and deserts. That mix means the same system is not expected to hit every part of the county the same way, so the timing and intensity will vary by location.
National Weather Service forecast
The National Weather Service says the rain late Thursday night through Friday morning is only the start. Over the weekend, it predicts several rounds of rain, which gives the county a longer stretch of unsettled weather rather than one short burst.
The County also directs residents to preparedness information before heavier rain arrives. Its El Niño 2026: What San Diego County Residents Need to Know information hub and AlertSanDiego.org are set up to help residents of San Diego County review storm readiness in advance, with preparedness tips available in more than 120 languages.
Coast, mountains and deserts
The forecast’s main split is geographic. The coast is expected to see the highest rainfall amounts, while the mountains and deserts could face stronger winds. For residents trying to decide when to travel or work outside, that means the most rain and the strongest wind are not forecast to line up in the same places.
How much rain will fall in each part of San Diego County is not specified. What is clear is the sequence: rain late Thursday, more rounds over the weekend, and the need to check the county’s preparedness guidance before the wetter weather arrives.
