The first storm of the spring season was expected to move on from the Inland Empire after Sunday, clearing the way for a cloudy but dry week before heavier rainfall returns next weekend, forecasters said Sunday.
Periods of rain, mountain snow, gusty winds and cool conditions were expected into Sunday evening, with a few isolated showers possible Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
The Coachella Valley was under a wind advisory until 11 p.m. Sunday, with gusts up to 50 mph. The NWS said the highest gusts would be around 60 mph on the east-facing desert slopes and in the Whitewater area below the San Gorgonio Pass.
Gusts in the 35-50 mph range were expected for the remaining mountain and desert areas, and around 25-35 mph for the valleys.
Sundays peak temperatures were expected to be in the low 60s for the Riverside metropolitan area, about 70 in the Coachella Valley, and in the upper 50s for Hemet. Overnight lows were expected to drop to the mid-40s for downtown Riverside and low 40s for Hemet.
An air quality alert also continued until 11 p.m. Sunday due to the elevated particle pollution levels from windblown dust, according to the NWS. The areas impacted by the strong winds included the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Coachella and Borrego Springs.
“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.
For mid-eek, forecasters said temperatures would range from the mid-60s to the mid-70s in the Riverside metropolitan and Hemet areas. The Coachella Valley was expected to be warmer, ranging between the upper 70s and low 80s.
The NWS said wet weather would likely return to Riverside County next weekend, with more substantial rainfall expected both Saturday and Sunday.