Another moderate rainstorm is tracking toward the Inland Empire and is expected to linger and generate showers across the region Friday, 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.
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, persisting during the 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 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 Friday will be 65 degrees and nighttime lows in the high 30s.
In the Coachella Valley Friday, highs will hover in the high 70s, followed by lows in the low 50s.
Temperatures in the Temecula Valley will largely equal those in Riverside metro.