WEATHER: One storm passing, others on the way
By: Bradley J. Fikes

North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County got soaked Friday and Saturday, but avoided the mudslides and other storm damage that hit Los Angeles County.

Rain should start tapering off Sunday in San Diego County, with dry weather returning Sunday night and Monday, said Dan Atkin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

However, mild storms are likely to return during the week and bring more rain, Atkin said.

"A weak, fast-moving system will bring at least a chance of showers Tuesday and Wednesday," Atkin said. "After that, a couple more weak systems Thursday and Friday, but dry in between them."

The San Diego County Water Authority urged businesses and residents to take advantage of the rainfall and save water by halting irrigation during the storms.

For the San Diego coastal area, the Weather Service issued a high surf advisory from midnight Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday.

The Weather Service said a large swell will move into coastal waters, bringing sets as high as 8 feet Sunday. The surf is expected to decrease to 4 to 6 feet by mid-morning Monday .

Fishing or wave-watching during high surf conditions can be dangerous, because big waves sometimes unexpectedly pound previously dry areas, the Weather Service cautioned. In addition, surfing is dangerous because of the powerful waves along with rip currents.

In Riverside County, Highway 74, also known as the Ortega Highway, was closed Saturday between Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore and the Nichols Institute in San Juan Capistrano, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The closure was caused by a broken water main in Orange County that flooded the highway and caused the westbound lanes to cave in, according to the CHP.

Authorities also said storm debris is blocking the road.

The closure is expected to last two days, a CHP spokesperson said.

Roadway flooding was reported at several places in San Diego County, including northbound Interstate 15 at El Norte Parkway to Deer Springs Road and De Luz Road at Sandia Creek Drive. Several noninjury vehicle accidents took place on rain-slickened freeways.