'Travel Not Recommended' Amid Storm Onslaught, Caltrans Advises

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A powerful storm bearing down on Southern California will bring heavy rain Wednesday evening and early Thursday, raising fears of flooding and debris flows in recent burn areas, according to authorities.

Caltrans officials cautioned motorists statewide to stay off the roads if possible.

"Caltrans districts statewide are coordinating with local & state officials to assist with this latest storm system. TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED," the agency tweeted Tuesday.

The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory to take effect from 2 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday for the Riverside County valleys, and from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 4 p.m. Thursday for the mountains.

A winter weather advisory was in effect from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday for Riverside County mountain communities. The snow level was expected to drop to 7,000 feet Wednesday night, and 6,500 feet Thursday.

A flood watch was also issued for 2 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday for Southwest Riverside County, the Pass Area, and the Riverside metropolitan region, according to the NWS.

While rain is forecast in the Coachella Valley, no NWS watches or advisories were in effect.

Weaker showers were predicted Wednesday morning before the main storm moves in later in the day, according to the NWS.

Conditions are expected to dry out by Thursday night, continuing into Friday. A series of "weak disturbances" are anticipated over the weekend, but "there will likely be drier and less cloudy intervals in between the clouds and rain," forecasters said.

More rain was in the forecast early next week, with a chance of showers Sunday through Tuesday, according to the NWS.

—City News Service and Patch editor Toni McAllister contributed to this report.