Showers, cloudy skies and high winds persisted in Riverside County this weekend, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a wind advisory and an air quality alert in some areas of the county.
Forecasters said a trough of low pressure would continue pushing from northwest to southeast throughout Saturday and most of Sunday.
“This weather system will bring cooler, wetter and windier conditions to Southern California, with periods of mountain snow down to 4,500 to 5,500 feet,” according to an NWS statement.
The Riverside metropolitan area, along with the Temecula and San Jacinto valleys, were predicted to receive anywhere from a quarter-inch to two inches of rain, forecasters said.
Rainfall is expected to be light in the desert areas.
Periodic thunderstorms are in the forecast for western Riverside County on Saturday night and all of Sunday.
“Snowfall of less than three inches is expected below 5,000 feet, three to six inches from 5,000 to 6,000 feet, six to 12 inches from 6,000 to 7,500 feet, with locally 12 to 18 inches above 7,500 feet,” according to the weather service.
Strong winds were also in full effect on Saturday in the Coachella Valley.
“Peak gusts of 30 to 45 mph are expected, with the strongest winds looking to be Sunday afternoon (in the valleys),” the NWS stated. “Gusty westerly winds are also expected on the desert mountain slopes into the deserts. Strongest winds will be Saturday evening into Sunday morning, with peak gusts 55 to 65 mph.”
The strong winds prompted the NWS to issue a wind advisory and an air quality alert in the Coachella Valley effective from 8 a.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Sunday. Affected areas included the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Coachella and Borrego Springs.
The air quality alert was issued for the same areas due to increased particle pollution from blowing dust.
“In areas directly impacted by high levels of windblown dust, limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed and avoiding vigorous physical activity,” the NWS advised.
Daytime temperatures in the Riverside metropolitan area were predicted to peak at 60 on Sunday, dropping into the low 40s by night.
In the Coachella Valley, temperatures were predicted to be in the upper 60s Sunday, dropping into the upper 40s overnight.
In the Temecula Valley, temps will stall in the mid-50s during the day Sunday, with lows around 40.
Temperatures will increase into early next week, with generally clear conditions, according to the NWS.