Weekend Storm To Bring Snow, Thunderstorms: RivCo, Desert Area

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A storm will roll into Southern California Friday, producing rain and possibly thunderstorms, and high-elevation snow throughout the Inland Empire, according to the National Weather Service.

The trough of low pressure is gathering steam in the Pacific, and the front end is expected to reach the region Friday afternoon or evening, lasting until the predawn hours Sunday, when the disturbance will be replaced by a high- pressure system, followed by Santa Ana winds, forecasters said.

"Areas of light rain and mountain snow can be expected, though conditions do look favorable for a few thunderstorms to occur in parts of the coasts and valleys Saturday morning," according to an NWS statement.

"Snow levels will hover around 5,500-6,000 feet Friday night through Saturday night, with a few inches of snow possible below 6,000 feet and five inches or more above 6,000 feet. Snow will mainly be confined to the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains."

Rainfall amounts are predicted to range from a quarter- to a half-inch in most Riverside County locations, according to meteorologists.

No significant winds are forecast with the storm, with the highest gusts probably topping out at 30 mph in isolated locations, the NWS said.

Temperatures will peak in the high 50s in the Riverside metropolitan area Saturday, with highs in the upper 60s in the Coachella Valley and in the low 60s in the Temecula Valley, according to the Weather Service.

Forecasters said that the foul weather will quickly exit early Sunday, and starting sometime Monday, offshore winds out of the northeast will likely commence, though the intensity and timing of the Santa Ana event was uncertain at this point.

—City News Service contributed to this report.