Rain is in the forecast for later in the week across the Inland Empire, as well as the possibility of Santa Ana winds, but meteorologists were unsure Monday about the intensity.
Several low pressure troughs veering toward the region out of the Pacific Northwest were expected to produce light to moderate showers on Wednesday night into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
“Strength and timing … remain uncertain, as the track of the low pressure system is still in flux,” the NWS said in a statement.
The agency further noted that “Santa Ana winds are beginning to look increasingly likely,” possibly on the heels of the trough as it exits to the east, replaced by a high pressure ridge over the Great Basin of Utah and Nevada. The Weather Service’s surface prognostication chart published Monday showed the ridge settling in Saturday and Sunday.
The Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index does not yet indicate development of a major wind event.
For most of the week, cooler temperatures will be prevalent throughout the IE. According to the NWS, in the Riverside metropolitan area, the highs from Tuesday to Friday will stall in the low to mid 70s, with lows around 50. However, a slight warming trend will start Saturday, when daytime temps will climb back toward 80.
In the Coachella Valley, the afternoon mercury will gradually slide from the mid 90s Tuesday to the upper 70s by the end of the week, with overnight lows dropping down to the low 60s, while in the Temecula Valley, the highs Tuesday to Friday will generally hover in the low 70s, with lows in the upper 40s.
The weekend will be marked by a warm-up as the high pressure takes hold.