Flash Flooding Possible In Elsinore With Winter Storm Wednesday

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Forecasted heavy downpours could trigger flash flooding in some areas of Riverside County Wednesday, when a winter storm rolls into the region, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency issued a Flash Flood Warning for the inland area, including Lake Elsinore, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., advising that bands of intense rain, even thunderstorms, will be present.

"The fast-moving cold front will bring periods of heavy rain ... and elevate the chances of brief flash flooding," according to the NWS.

The storm, fueled by an atmospheric river from the south, is expected to produce three-quarters to 1.5 inches of rain in the Inland Empire, though the Coachella Valley and desert areas farther east will probably receive less than a half inch, meteorologists said.

Flash Flood Watch in Effect

Moderate to heavy rain will start late tonight into Wednesday. Please be prepared for localized flooded roads and any runoff from previous mountain snowmelt. Take a look below and let us know if you have any questions #cawx pic.twitter.com/wCPzkY8iPS
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) December 3, 2019

Snow levels will drop to 6,000 feet by Wednesday night, so any snow that falls will be concentrated in higher terrain, making road closures in the San Gorgonio Pass or along state Route 74 near Mountain Center less likely -- in contrast with conditions that developed during the Thanksgiving Day storm, forecasters said.

Winds in the desert mountains slopes and along ridges will gust between 30 and 40 mph on Wednesday, according to the NWS.

High temperatures in the Riverside metropolitan area, southwest Riverside County and Coachella Valley cities will range between 63 and 70 degrees, forecasters said.

— By City News Service