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.

The National Weather Service says there is a chance of thunderstorms into Monday, while there is a chance that rain may hang around San Diego until Wednesday. Maximum rain rates could exceed 0.3 inches per hour Sunday,

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.

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

The National Weather Service office in San Diego is forecasting cooler temperatures and widespread rain continuing into the first part of the week.

A fire weather warning will be in effect from 4 p.m. Monday until at least 6 p.m. Wednesday for inland valleys and mountain areas, according to the National Weather Service. Coastal San Diego will see mostly sunny weather through the week, with highs in the mid-60s.

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.

Overnight, isolated lightning strikes were reported, primarily over coastal waters and nearby land areas, but thunderstorm chances were expected to decrease by Monday morning.

Rising bacteria levels from recent rainfall has prompted an advisory for all San Diego County beaches and bays, health officials said Monday. A general rain advisory was issued, and beachgoers were warned that rain can cause runoff which raises bacteria levels in ocean and bay waters,