Storm systems are forecast to start pounding the Inland Empire Thursday and produce intense winds, heavy rain and snowfall at higher elevations, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a series of advisories.
The agency posted a winter storm warning in mountain areas until 6 a.m. Friday, a flood watch from 6 a.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday, and a wind advisory for the valleys and Inland Empire from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.
The advisories cover most of the inland region.
“Widespread moderate to heavy rain is expected on Thursday,” the NWS said in a statement. “There is also a slight chance of thunderstorms for Thursday into Thursday evening … west of the mountains. Rainfall totals through Friday will range from 1.5 to 2 inches near the coast, 2 to 3 inches in the mountains, and .3 to .5 inches closer to the deserts.”
Low-lying areas, particularly around mountainous terrain, may be exposed to significant runoff, raising flood dangers, according to the agency.
The activity stems from back-to-back troughs of low pressure driven by an “atmospheric river” directed over Southern California by a southward bending jet stream, meteorologists said.
The NWS noted that as the initial trough and cold front push into the region Wednesday night, “strong southerly winds are expected.”
“Peak wind gusts along the coast will be 40 to 50 mph, with gusts 35 to 45 mph possible in the valleys,” the agency stated. “In the mountains and deserts, peak gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible.”
Communities along Highway 243, including Idyllwild-Pine Cove, are in store for varying amounts of snow accumulations, according to forecasters.
“The snow level will start at 6,500 to 7,000 feet Thursday morning at the onset of the precipitation,” the NWS said. “Periods of heavy snowfall are expected in the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains above 6,500 feet Thursday morning to early afternoon. Snow levels will fall to 4,500 feet by early Friday.”
The agency predicted 1 to 3 inches of snow at 4,500 feet, 3 to 6 inches at 6,000 feet, and up to 2 feet of snow above 8,000 feet from Thursday to Saturday.
There will be a lull Saturday and Saturday night before another, less intense storm front reaches the region Sunday into Monday.
Residents and business owners in Indio were encouraged to pick up empty sandbags to safeguard their properties from the upcoming forecasted rainstorms.
A sandbag pickup station was set up in downtown Indio at 45250 Smurr St. until 5 p.m. Wednesday, with a limit of 10 empty sandbags per household, according to city spokeswoman Jessica Mediano.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to community safety and preparedness, the City of Indio is taking proactive measures in anticipation of the upcoming rainstorms,” Mediano said in a statement. “We understand the importance of being prepared for adverse weather conditions, and we want to ensure that our residents and businesses have the resources they need to safeguard their properties.”
More information about storm preparedness from the city can be found at indio.org/departments/indio-emergency-preparedness-program/.