Weather
Drenching Rain, Heavy Snow Coming In Christmas Storm To RivCo
During the overnight hours, rainfall is predicted to be intense in many locations, and as temperatures drop, so will snow levels.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Scattered showers were beginning to pop up in the western reaches of Riverside County Wednesday afternoon, hours before a large cold front is expected to bring heavy rain and snow into the nighttime hours.
According to the National Weather Service, a trough of low pressure hanging off the coast will overlay most of Southern California on Christmas evening, ushering in significant precipitation comparable to last month's wet Thanksgiving.
During the overnight hours into Thursday, rainfall is predicted to be intense in many locations, and as temperatures drop, so will snow levels.
Find out what's happening in Temeculafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Snow levels will fall rapidly and reach the major passes on Thursday, which could result in some major travel impacts," according to the weather service. "Rainfall will be rather heavy, at least for a few hours at lower elevations, including the lower deserts. Isolated thunderstorms are possible, mainly near the coast, which could enhance rainfall rates locally."
Meteorologists said winds generated by the instability could gust between 20 to 30 mph in local valleys, while wind speeds between 40 and 50 mph are expected in the mountains, especially Thursday as the last vestiges of the system spin eastward.
Find out what's happening in Temeculafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In the Riverside metropolitan area, the storm was expected to pick up steam in the late-night hours, rolling through the inland region with intense bursts of precipitation.
Meteorologists are forecasting the storm could douse cities in western Riverside County with about an inch of rain, with several inches expected in the foothills.
Mountainous regions could see up to 2 feet of snow in areas like Idyllwild.
The Coachella Valley may see 1 to 2 inches of rain and possible flooding on Thursday, according to forecasters.
High temperatures in Riverside hovered in the low-to-mid 50s and the same was expected Thursday, with similar highs in the Temecula Valley and the mercury topping out around 60 in the Palm Springs area over the two-day period, according to the weather service.
— By City News Service
