CADEN HAYNOR / NEWS EDITOR

Students looking outside of windows and to the sky noticed rain pouring over campus on Monday,  Feb.  16. The storm came from a pair of  Pacific  storms coming down the West Coast.

The National Weather Service (NWS) predicted approximately 1-2 inches of rain and wind  gusts  as high as 60 mph  in San  Diego. NWS also issued  an   alert for high surf advisories  along the  coast from the   border   up    to    San   Clemente. 

Pouring rain makes USD’s outdoor walkways slippery as students walk to class. Caden Haynor/The USD Vista

Accustomed to the dry, sunny days that San Diego is famous for, USD students adjusted to the change in weather. 

USD junior Sophia Skvarca, who regularly spends time outdoors, has mixed feelings about the rainy weather.

“This rain means that a hike this weekend will be greener and more beautiful,” Skvarca stated. “But one downside of the rain is that it can discourage students from spending time outdoors between classes, limiting opportunities to enjoy our beautiful campus.”

Severe weather warnings are rare in San Diego and affect various areas of daily life for students and residents. 

On Feb. 16, USD  Residential Life sent an email to students living on-campus, reminding them   to  close  all  windows and to report any  leaks in on-campus dorms.   Residential   Life also urged students to stay safe and  look out for other Toreros.

 Although San Diego has infrastructure in place that can handle some rain, the city’s landscape and groundwork gets stressed with a Pacific storm with consistent rain and strong winds.

On Feb. 13, the City of San Diego released a notice for San Diegans, telling them to take simple steps to protect from the ensuing  storm,   specifically citing   low-lying   areas  of   the   city as places vulnerable to floods.

Since  the  city  averages   10-12   inches   of   rain   per   year, the   storm   drains   are   not    sized   for   heavy    downpours  and  many   neighborhoods    rely on open   channels,   which   are   man-made   concrete   creeks,    instead of deep   underground   drainage.  Roads   also  accumulate oil and other  pollutants  between  storms,  making them slick  when  rain  comes  through.

The Federal Emergency Management  Agency designates the  Mission   Valley    neighborhood   as  a   Special Flood Hazard Area and city officials urged extra caution  when driving and walking through the area. 

As  a  result    of   the  high  winds  and  downpour, more  than  222   flights    were  delayed at San Diego International   Airport at the time The  USD Vista sent to print on Feb. 17. 

With   USD   students  coming  from  different  climates and locations across   the   world, students’ preparedness   for   storms   vary. 

USD  senior  Max   Vukovich, a   Chicago  native,  is  accustomed   to rain in the Windy City. Vukovich explained his take on the rain coming  down  on campus.

“The rain doesn’t really bother me, as long as it’s not pouring,” Vukovich said. “I don’t like the smell but the feeling and sound of it is pretty peaceful. Regardless, I still [have to] go to class though.”

USD sophomore Sophia Crisalli, from drier Scottsdale, Arizona,   described   how   she   finds comfort during  stormy  weather.

“I really like the rain, but I do not like being cold,” Crisalli said. “I love the sound of rain, and I love chilling in my room with some comfy clothes on, reading a book.” 

On  rainy  days,   trams are even busier with students attempting to avoid the downpour. Crisalli expressed her recognition for  the   tram   drivers. 

“I am extra appreciative of the tram drivers today,” Crisalli shared. 

The storm is forecasted to run through the rest  of the week, ending on Feb. 20,  pushing USD students to  adjust their  schedules to the turbulent weather.

A Pacific storm showering down the West Coast hit USD on Feb. 16, showering students on their way to class. Hailey Howell/The USD Vista