Forecasters are predicting a week of sporadic rain in Southern California, with light showers falling as soon as late Saturday or early Sunday.
“Cool and cloudy weather will likely persist with scattered rain showers possible (Saturday), then rain showers and low elevation snow likely for Sunday and Monday,” the National Weather Service said. “Another, potentially stronger, storm is on tap for Wednesday into Thursday. Gusty westerly winds are expected Sunday and Monday, and again Thursday,” the NWS added.
Forecasters lowered the likelihood of rain falling Saturday night to about 20%.
An extended period of gusty west to northwest winds were expected across the Antelope Valley into Monday night and possibly Tuesday.
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Tuesday was expected to be dry, with winds subsiding, but another storm system will move into the region Wednesday and Thursday night. Early estimates suggest a quarter to half-inch of rain across the coast and valleys with up to a half-inch to one inch of rainfall in the foothills and mountains, according to the NWS.
Cooler daytime temperatures are also on the way next week, with highs in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, as well as the Orange County area in the upper 50s and low 60s throughout the week. Overnight lows will mostly be in the 40s and lower 50s.
A warming and drying trend is expected for next weekend, with highs possibly climbing into the low 80s in the valleys by next weekend.
Palm Springs was expected to stay dry most of the week, with rain in the forecast on Thursday. Hemet was predicted to see rain Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. Coachella was expected to stay largely dry throughout the week.
San Bernardino and Riverside county metropolitan areas should see rain Sunday and Wednesday, with a chance on Thursday.
A winter weather advisory was in effect from 10 a.m. Sunday to 4 p.m. Monday for the Inland Empire mountains, and a wind advisory was in effect until 10 a.m. Sunday for the Riverside County mountains. West winds will strengthen late Sunday afternoon and evening, gusting as high as 60 mph over the mountains, into the deserts, and below the passes through Monday evening, the NWS said.
Gusts of up to 40 mph prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District to issue a windblown dust advisory in the Coachella Valley effective from 4 a.m. Saturday until noon Monday.
Snow levels were estimated at about 6,000 feet Saturday morning and were expected to fall to 4,000 to 4,500 feet by Monday morning.
Saturday’s highs were in the mid-60s in the Riverside and San Bernardino metropolitan areas, 62 in the Temecula Valley and 81 in the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs, according to the NWS.
Next week will bring cooler daytime temperatures to the San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with highs in metropolitan areas staying in the lower 60s and dropping to about 55 on Thursday.