Snow Showers, Rain: High of 66F, Cold Front Moves Into the Coachella Valley

Gusty winds, along with rain and snow showers, are forecast throughout the weekend in Riverside County.

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — A cold storm system will arrive Saturday in Riverside County, bringing gusty conditions along with rain and snow showers to some parts of the county throughout the weekend, forecasters said.

A significant trough of low pressure currently over the Pacific Northwest will make its way down the coast overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm system will have two waves, with the first expected to arrive Saturday morning and bring widespread rain showers throughout the day in our mountains and parts of Southern California.

Travel

There is just a 40% chance of rain in the Coachella Valley for both Saturday and Sunday.

The second wave is forecast to arrive Sunday morning and bring wet and windy conditions through Sunday night, according to the NWS.

Then Riverside metropolitan area and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning could both get up to a half-inch of rain over the weekend, according to the NWS.

If any rain falls in the Coachella Valley, it is expected to be less than one-tenth of an inch.

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Snow levels will drop to around 5,000 feet by Saturday night, meaning Idyllwild could get a few inches of snow through Sunday, forecasters said.

According to Caltrans, motorists this weekend should be prepared if they’re traveling on mountain roads this weekend, bringing snow chains and checking ahead for closures and travel delays.

“Caltrans crews will be on 12 hours shifts, 24/7 throughout the storm event,” according to the agency. “Chain installers will be available on mountain routes for safety and convenience.”

The NWS issued a wind advisory that will be in effect through 10 p.m. Sunday in the Riverside County mountains, the Coachella Valley and the San Gorgonio near Banning.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a windblown dust and ash advisory Friday set to remain in effect through Saturday afternoon.

Winds out of the west and southwest are expected to reach speeds between 15-25 mph, with gusts topping out at 50 mph, forecasters said. The wind gusts will make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles and could blow down tree limbs, potentially causing power outages.

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