Significant rainfall is in store across the Inland Empire, beginning in the predawn hours Monday and possibly continuing through the middle of next week, as storm systems roll in from the north, according to the National Weather Service.
“The (first) system moves closer to Southern California, with increasing chances for rain and high elevation snow … Monday morning and afternoon,” the NWS said in a statement. “This will lead to areas of moderate to locally heavy rain and mountain snow. Current guidance shows the heaviest rainfall moving through the region in the afternoon hours and early evening (Monday).”
No weather advisories had been issued by the Weather Service as of Friday afternoon, but that could change anytime.
Forecasters predicted around a half-inch of precipitation in the Riverside metropolitan area Monday going into Tuesday.
As one trough of low pressure edges eastward, another will slip in behind it, preceded by a cold front, according to meteorologists.
“Another wave of energy moves through the trough on Wednesday, where chances for rain and mountain snow increase yet again,” the NWS stated.
That may ratchet up chances for another half inch to an inch of rainfall in valley locations, the agency said.
“Mountain snow looks to be the greatest impact of this winter storm,” according to the Weather Service. “Potentially significant snowfall will create hazardous travel and possible power outages … At the 6,500 foot level in the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains, there is around a 75% chance of at least 12 inches of snow.”
For Saturday and Sunday, Riverside metro’s daytime highs will top out in the upper 60s, with overnight lows in the mid 40s amid partly sunny skies. For the Presidents Day holiday Monday, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday, highs will hover in the upper 50s, dipping into the low 40s at night.
In the Coachella Valley, weekend highs will reach the mid 70s, with lows in the low 50s. Monday to Wednesday, highs will crest in the mid 60s and bottom out in the upper 40s.
The Temecula Valley’s temperature band will be aligned with the Riverside area for the weekend. But Monday to Wednesday, the valley’s highs will peak in the mid 50s, dropping into the upper 30s at night.
Forecast models were in flux for the end of next week.