Rain, Cooler Temperatures On Tap For Banning This Weekend

BANNING, CA — Residents of Banning should prepare for a drizzly spring weekend as a storm system approaches Southern California, weather officials say.

After possible thunderstorms in Banning on Thursday and a windy but otherwise sunny and warm Friday, the area will see clouds knit together and a chance of showers starting Saturday night, the National Weather Service reported.

"A few thunderstorms should enter the mix Sunday afternoon," the NWS said of the broader Riverside County area. "Storm total precipitation is not impressive, around .5 inches for the mountain spots, but less than a tenth of an inch for the coast and desert."

Here's the rain forecast by day, according to NWS:

• Saturday (May 3): Patchy fog before a.m. but otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. By Saturday night, a 30 percent chance of showers is expected, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of around 44.

• Sunday (May 4): The chance of showers and thunderstorms increases to 40 percent, with cloudy skies and a high near 53. Breezy conditions are anticipated. By Sunday night a continued chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 45.

• Monday (May 5): A chance of showers remains, with mostly cloudy conditions and a high near 57.

Warmer weather is expected to return after the weekend.

"It will be much cooler by Sunday, then gradually warmer early next week," the NWS said in its Thursday forecast discussion.

The spring drizzle comes as part of a broader storm system moving over California, bringing rainfall, wind and potential thunderstorms across the state, according to weather officials. While the storm is not expected to be intense, it is notable for May.

As the Southland heads into its dry season, a storm moving across the interior West this weekend may be one of the final chances for coastal Southern California to see significant rainfall before fall, according to a Wednesday report from AccuWeather.

The rain comes as welcome news as the southern reaches of the state suffer yet again from widespread drought. But these spring storms aren't expected to help much on that front.

"The rain and snow expected this weekend will have little to no impact on the Southern California drought since the amounts will be rather low," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill.