Stormy Week, New Jobs, and Science Spotlight San Diego

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San Diego, CA – February 18, 2026 – Powerful storms drench region as a major research hub rises and scientists gather, marking a week of weather and innovation.


San Diego, CA – February 18, 2026 – A stormy stretch, a major new research facility and a global science conference are all in today's local roundup.

Back-to-back Pacific storms slam the county

San Diego County is working through a second powerful Pacific storm in just a few days. Heavy rain, strong winds and high surf have been rolling through since early in the week, following an earlier system that already soaked the region.

Forecasters say coastal and valley areas have picked up around an inch or more of rain, with higher totals in the mountains. Gusts over 40 miles per hour have been common, and mountain communities have seen accumulating snow, especially around Mount Laguna and other higher peaks.

Wind advisories and winter weather alerts remain in effect for some parts of the region, and saturated soils mean trees and power lines are more vulnerable than usual. Residents are being urged to watch for fallen branches, avoid parking under large trees and use extra caution on the roads as scattered showers continue.

Winds disrupt travel and raise coastal concerns

The strongest winds have also affected travel and the shoreline. Earlier in the week, gusts near 50 miles per hour helped delay hundreds of flights into and out of local airports, and utilities reported scattered power outages, particularly in inland and foothill communities.

Along the beaches, a combination of high surf and persistent onshore winds is pushing waves into the nine to twelve foot range. That raises the risk of minor coastal flooding and erosion on some exposed stretches of shoreline. Lifeguards and emergency officials are asking people to keep a safe distance from the water during peak surf and to avoid jetties and rocks where waves can easily knock people over.

Novartis deepens its San Diego biotech footprint

Amid the rough weather, San Diego also notched a major win for its life sciences economy. Novartis has announced plans for a new global biomedical research center in the city, part of a multibillion dollar united states investment in research and manufacturing.

The planned campus, expected to open later this decade, is designed to bring together roughly a thousand researchers and support staff in a single hub. Company leaders say the facility will focus on areas like oncology, neuroscience and advanced therapies, and will lean heavily on artificial intelligence and data driven discovery.

Local leaders are touting the project as a long term boost for high wage jobs and a signal that San Diego's research ecosystem remains globally competitive.

Global drug discovery conference comes to town

San Diego's scientific profile is also on display this week as researchers from around the world gather for a biophysics in drug discovery conference running February 17 through 19. The meeting brings together experts in structural biology, cutting edge imaging and other tools that help turn basic science into new medicines.

Organizers say hosting the event here underscores San Diego's role as a West Coast hub for pharmaceutical innovation, giving local scientists and startups a chance to connect with international partners without leaving home.

Staying safe and looking ahead

With more showers and gusty winds expected into midweek, local officials continue to emphasize basic safety steps: slow down on wet roads, steer clear of flooded low spots and keep emergency kits and flashlights handy in case of brief outages.

Once this storm cycle moves on, attention will turn back to the city's growing research corridor and the long term economic impact of new labs, conferences and biotech investment now taking shape across the region.

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