Forecasters predicted showers and strong winds in parts of Riverside County this weekend, with more rain occurring next week.
Rain was expected in most areas of the county on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Monday and Tuesday were predicted to be largely dry, with showers returning Wednesday and Thursday in some areas. The metropolitan Riverside area
Palm Springs was expected to stay dry most of the week, with rain in the forecast on Thursday. Hemet was predicted to see rain Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. Coachella was expected to stay largely dry throughout the week.
A winter weather advisory was in effect from 10 a.m. Sunday to 4 p.m. Monday for the Inland Empire mountains, and a wind advisory was in effect until 10 a.m. Sunday for the Riverside County mountains. West winds will strengthen late Sunday afternoon and evening, gusting as high as 60 mph over the mountains, into the deserts, and below the passes through Monday evening, the NWS said.
Gusts of up to 40 mph prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District to issue a windblown dust advisory in the Coachella Valley effective from 4 a.m. Saturday until noon Monday.
Snow levels were estimated at about 6,000 feet Saturday morning and were expected to fall to 4,000 to 4,500 feet by Monday morning.
Saturday’s highs were in the mid-60s in the Riverside metropolitan area, 62 in the Temecula Valley and 81 in the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs, according to the NWS.
Next week will bring cooler daytime temperatures to the county, with highs in downtown Riverside staying in the lower 60s and dropping to about 55 on Thursday.
Palm Springs was expected to reach 76 on Saturday, 73 on Sunday and 68 on Monday before rising into the mid to upper 70s Tuesday and Wednesday and dropping to 62 on Thursday.