The tail of a potent Pacific storm is dropping snow across the San Diego County mountains and rain virtually everywhere else on what is expected to be the final day of nearly a week of cool, stormy weather. The National Weather Service predicted up to 8 inches of snow would fall in the mountains and as much as 6 inches in Julian. There could be up to 2 inches at the 2,500 foot level, forecasters said. The system also was expected to drop a quarter-inch of rain at and near the coast, and twice that across inland valleys and foothills, adding to the fall and winter bounty.

One of the windiest rainstorms of the winter blasted San Diego County Saturday, downing trees — including one in Balboa Park that crushed cars — stranding drivers on flooded freeways, and trapping a hiker on a water-swept cliff in La Jolla. The winds gusted to 68 mph on Palomar Mountain, 60 mph in Coronado, 53 mph on North Island, 52 mph in Solana Beach and Carlsbad, and 50 mph on Silver Strand. The National Weather Service issued a special wind warning for San Diego International Airport out of concern that the storm would affect flights. The airport got gusts up to 46 mph.

A storm that’s far brawnier than the one that hit San Diego County on Thursday will blow ashore Saturday, dropping an inch or more of rain in San Diego, 1.50 inches across inland valleys and up to two inches in the mountains, says the National Weather Service. Strong gusts of wind are expected in East County, especially along the eastern stretch of Interstate 8. Wind speeds could reach 45 mph to 50 mph. The leading edge of the system will produce scattered showers late Friday night and on Saturday morning. Forecasters say the brunt of the storm will hit on Saturday afternoon and evening.