Another moderate rainstorm is tracking toward the Inland Empire, expected to generate showers across the region beginning Tuesday and possibly continuing into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency said a series of low pressure troughs swinging down from the Pacific Northwest will reach Southern California at the start of next week, gradually turning eastbound and exiting toward Arizona Thursday morning.
The heaviest weather will weigh anchor over Central and Northern California, where the California Highway Patrol issued an alert Friday, advising motorists to be prepared for traffic jams, potential flooding and other rain-related hazards, beginning as early as Saturday and persisting over the ensuing week.
“For Tuesday evening through Thursday evening, there is a 10 to 20% chance of rainfall accumulations exceeding an inch in the San Bernardino Mountains and a 30 to 40% chance of rainfall exceeding .5 inches for areas (immediately) north of San Diego County,” the NWS said in a statement.
Forecasters said snow levels will hold above 7,000 feet Tuesday and Wednesday.
“As the precipitation starts to taper off Wednesday night into Thursday, snow levels may drop to 5,500 feet,” the Weather Service stated. “In addition to precipitation chances, a cooling trend is expected Tuesday through Thursday and an increase in westerly winds.”
High temperatures in the Riverside metropolitan area this weekend will peak in the low 70s, with overnight lows in the upper 40s. Monday will be very comfortable at close to 80 degrees, but Tuesday to Friday, the cool-down takes shape, bringing daytime highs back down to the low 60s and nighttime lows in the mid 40s.
In the Coachella Valley this weekend and Monday, highs will hover in the low 80s, followed by lows in the upper 50s. Temps will moderate Tuesday to Friday, peaking in the mid 70s, with lows in the mid 50s.
Temperatures in the Temecula Valley will largely equal those in Riverside metro.