Wet weather is forecast for parts of the Inland Empire starting Thursday and possibly lingering into Saturday, though the precipitation is expected to be light, according to the National Weather Service.
An upper level trough of low pressure forming over the Pacific and currently closing in on Central California will reach the inland region by Thursday afternoon, generating sporadic rain, which is not predicted to be intense, according to the agency.
“Current forecast has the highest chances of rain in and west of the mountains Thursday and Friday, with lingering chances of precipitation into Saturday morning,” the NWS said in a statement. “Latest guidance is indicating hourly rainfall rates will range from 0.05-0.25 inches per hour. Rates at or near 0.25 per hour will be fairly isolated and most likely occur Friday.”
Rainfall accumulations will be low in most places, meteorologists said.
Snow levels will remain above 8,000 feet until Friday, when frozen precipitation may materialize around 6,500 feet, according to the Weather Service. The highest snowfall will occur at or above 7,000, with one or two inches of snow possible by Saturday.
The trough will be gone by Sunday, followed by a ridge of high pressure that will spur the return of more mild, dry weather, according to forecasters.
For Wednesday, daytime highs in the Riverside metropolitan area will edge into the mid 70s, with lows in the upper 40s. However, from Thursday to Sunday, highs will generally top out in the mid 60s, falling into the low to mid 40s during nighttime hours.
In the Coachella Valley, the mercury will make it into the mid to upper 70s Wednesday, with lows in the mid 50s. Thursday to Sunday, highs will hover in the low 70s, followed by overnight temps in the upper 40s.
The Temecula Valley’s highs Wednesday will peak in the low 70s, with lows in the mid 40s. From Thursday to Sunday, daytime highs will hold in the low 60s, dropping into the upper 30s at night, the NWS said.