Wind Gusts To 75 MPH: NWS Warning Issued For SW Riverside County

SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — As a winter storm continues to move through Southwest Riverside County Monday, the National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the area through 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Northeast winds of 25 to 45 mph with gusts to 75 mph are expected across the area. Strongest winds will be in the foothills and through canyons, according to the NWS.

"Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects," the NWS warned. The Cajon and San Gorgonio passes will experience the most severe conditions, according to the NWS.

The highest winds will be through noon Monday, and then again around 2 a.m. through 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Although rainfall has mostly tapered off in Southwest Riverside County, the NWS said a chance of light rain will continue Monday throughout the county and snow is still expected to fall in the mountains.

The low pressure system will continue moving southeast Monday before reaching Baja California by Monday evening, NWS meteorologist Miguel Miller said.

The storm is expected to produce around one-tenth of an inch of rain in the Coachella Valley, while less than one-tenth of an inch of rain is expected in the Riverside metropolitan area and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, Miller said.

The chance of measurable precipitation Monday had been set at 60 percent in Southwest Riverside County, 50 percent in the Riverside metropolitan area, 70 percent in the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning and 80 percent in the Coachella Valley. Most of the rain was expected in the morning hours.

Snow levels will drop to around 5,000 feet in Idyllwild Monday, where between 2-4 inches of snow is expected to fall, Miller said.

A winter weather advisory warning of potentially hazardous conditions in the mountains will be in effect until 4 a.m. Tuesday.

High temperatures Monday could reach 67 degrees in Riverside, 67 in the San Gorgonio Pass, 67 in the Coachella Valley, 62 in Temecula and 63 in Hemet.

Sunny skies and seasonal temperatures are expected to return Tuesday through Thursday, with a slight chance of rain in Friday's forecast.

—City News Service contributed to this report.