LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Rainfall and intense winds are forecasted for the Inland Empire to close out the week, 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.
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"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.
Southwest Riverside County Weekend Weather Forecast: National Weather Service:
ThursdayPatchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 64. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday nightMostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
FridayA slight chance of rain after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Friday NightA chance of rain, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
SaturdayRain likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday NightRain likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
SundayA chance of showers, mainly before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 43.
MondaySunny, with a high near 60.
Monday NightMostly clear, with a low around 41.
TuesdaySunny, with a high near 63.
Tuesday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 43.
WednesdayA slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
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