Heavy rains developed Friday over the Inland Empire with the arrival of a cold storm that originated from the west coast of Canada, the first of two systems that will canvass the area over the Christmas holiday.
The rain caused some flooding and road closures in the Palm Springs area. The Palm Springs Police Department said East Vista Chino between Gene Autry and Cathedral City, and North Gene Autry from Interstate 10 to East Via Escuela, both re-opened.
No re-opening notice was given for Indian Canyon Drive from Tramview Road to Palm Springs Station Road and Araby Drive up to the Whitewater Wash, which were also closed due to flooding.
Forecasters said 2 to 3 inches of rain was expected along the coast and valleys Friday, 3 to 6 inches for the mountains and 1 to 2 inches in the deserts.
More rain was likely on Christmas Day and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Showers were predicted Saturday afternoon, with the “next stronger wave Saturday night into early Sunday.”
Snow levels were expected to fall to 5,000 feet, with up to a foot of snow possible. Strong winds could occur in the mountains and deserts, with gusts over 50 mph possible especially from the mountain crests to the desert slopes, the NWS said.
Friday’s inclement conditions led to a rash of accidents on inland freeways, including a tractor-trailer going off the side of the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway near Moreno Valley, and a Tesla careening off of Interstate 15 and down an embankment in Corona, according to the California Highway Patrol.
No injuries were reported.
The county Department of Transportation said there was one storm-related closure on Avenida Miravilla, between Orchard and Vineland streets, in Cherry Valley.
The CHP said a rock slide along Highway 243 north of Idyllwild temporarily blocked the northbound lane on the mountain corridor early Thursday afternoon. However, no damage or injuries were reported, and the lane was cleared within a couple of hours.
No significant power outages were reported in Riverside County.
Even more stormy weather is likely to roll into the area sometime in the middle of next week. Another system is expected Monday into early Tuesday and then again Wednesday or Thursday, forecasters said.