PALM DESERT, CA — Gusting winds are forecasted for the Coachella Valley, while other parts of the Inland Empire will close out the week with chances of rain and mountain snow, according to the National Weather Service.
A storm system currently dragging across the Pacific Northwest is expected to produce rain and snow Friday night, Saturday, and to a lesser extent Sunday morning, the NWS said.
"This storm is expected to bring gusty winds, periods of precipitation and cooler conditions to Southern California," the Weather Service said in a statement. "The main weather impact from this system is shaping up to be strong, gusty west winds over the mountains and into the deserts."
Average wind speeds of 25 mph are anticipated in wind-prone channels, with gusts over 60 mph in some locations, the agency said.
The cold front will trigger the first round of rain Friday night, but it will be mostly light and variable, with heavier downpours predicted Saturday, according to meteorologists.
Find out what's happening in Palm Desertwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"The forecast has one-tenth to one-quarter inch near the coast, one-quarter to one-half inch in the valleys, and one-half to one-inch in the mountains," the NWS stated.
"Snow levels will be around 6,000 feet for early Saturday and will fall to around 4,000 feet for early Sunday. There is still some uncertainty in the timing, but precipitation is expected to be tapering off as the snow levels drop to their lowest Sunday morning."
The system will exit to the east on Sunday, followed by mild, dry conditions going into early next week.
In the Temecula Valley, daytime temps will hover in the mid-60s, dipping into the upper 40s Thursday, with highs in the mid-50s and lows in the mid-40s Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, according to forecasters. Rain is expected, though not as much as in the northern parts of the state, which will see winter weather and snow.
High temperatures in the Riverside metropolitan area on Thursday will reach the upper 60s to low 70s, with lows in the upper 40s. However, Friday through Sunday, daytime temps will peak in the upper 50s, with overnight lows in the mid-40s.
In the Coachella Valley, highs will approach 80 on Thursday, with lows in the low 50s, while from Friday to Sunday, the mercury will max out in the upper 60s, with lows around 50.
Coachella Valley Weekend Weather Forecast: National Weather Service:
ThursdaySunny, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday nightMostly clear, with a low around 52. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
FridaySunny, with a high near 74. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Friday NightMostly clear, with a low around 52. West wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
SaturdaySunny, with a high near 69. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Saturday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 50.
SundaySunny, with a high near 67.
Sunday NightMostly clear, with a low around 48.
MondaySunny, with a high near 70.
Monday NightMostly clear, with a low around 49.
TuesdaySunny, with a high near 73.
Tuesday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 51.
WednesdaySunny, with a high near 72.