Most San Diegans woke up Monday to puddles or downpours, a welcome respite from the 40-plus day drought the region had experienced. The county's first significant rainstorm of the season brought totals Monday ranging from a quarter to half an inch near the coast to more than an inch in the mountain slopes, according to the National Weather Service.

A critical fire threat will continue across County as Santa Ana winds and dry conditions persist through early Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Following weeks of critically bone-dry conditions, San Diego County could finally get a taste of rain over the weekend.

The City of San Diego has increased its storm preparations in advance of rainy conditions through Monday. The National Weather Service forecasts the rain that began Saturday to continue through Monday afternoon, with the rainfall through the weekend expected to be half an inch or less.

Fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions, a series of ferocious wildfires erupted the second week of January and roared across the Los Angeles area.

County's first significant rainstorm of the season brought totals ranging from a quarter to half an inch near the coast to over an inch in the mountain slopes.

Officials cautioned that ash in recent burn zones was a toxic mix of incinerated cars, electronics, batteries, building materials, paints, furniture and other household items.

San Diego County's first significant rainstorm of the season brought totals Monday ranging from a quarter to half an inch near the coast to over an inch in the mountain slopes, according to the National Weather Service.

Scattered rain showers fell across San Diego County over the weekend, bringing some slight respite during what the National Weather Service has referred to as the driest start to San Diego's water year.

Some areas in Southern California, a region plagued by drought conditions, saw more than inch of rain this weekend.

Scattered showers are expected early this week for San Diego County, with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon into Monday morning for the coast, valleys and mountains. A winter weather advisory will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. Monday, with chances of snowfall for county mountains, according to the National Weather Service.