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, forecasters said Sunday.

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.

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

Residents of San Diego County are facing evacuation orders Tuesday as the Lilac Fire and Pala Fire have broken out in the region, officials say.

Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are anticipated. "At 6:34 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong shower with weak rotation over Rubidoux, or near Riverside, moving northeast at 10 mph," states the NWS. "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible."

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.

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.

On the heels of critical fire weather, fueled by gusty Santa Ana winds, those in San Diego County’s mountain areas will soon be under a Winter Storm Watch, according to the National Weather

As firefighters continue to battle the rapidly-growing Border 2 fire, a smoke advisory is in effect for the southwestern area of San Diego County.

With parts of Los Angeles County still smoldering from wildfires, the expected rain this weekend would seem like a welcome relief. But how the rain falls could make the difference between a disaster respite or a disaster repeat.

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.