RivCo Mountain Snow Dropping To 5,000-Foot Level As Storm Moves In

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Another winter storm is set to move over Riverside County starting Wednesday, bringing more rain and snow to the region.

A trough of low pressure currently circulating off the California coast will cut south Wednesday morning and spin into the region by afternoon. The heaviest rain in the inland region is anticipated Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Projected rain totals in the Riverside County valley and mountain areas are .30" to .60", though locally higher amounts of .75" to 1" are forecast in areas with the heaviest convective cells, the NWS reported.

In the Coachella Valley rain amounts will be light, from .05" to .20".

The NWS reported snow levels will start at approximately 6,000 feet Wednesday afternoon and lower to 5,500 feet overnight, then drop to 5,000 feet on Thursday morning.

A Winter Weather Advisory was issued for the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains. It takes effect from noon Wednesday to 9 p.m. Thursday when 2 to 6 inches of snow is expected to fall at the 6,000-8,500-foot level. Elevations above 8,500 feet can expect more than 6 inches.

The cold storm will move east over the Rockies Thursday night.

"Friday will be a warmer day with a period of northeast offshore winds over the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains and passes. This offshore component will add to the warming in the northern Inland Empire and inland Orange County where highs should eclipse 70 degrees," according to the NWS.

Weekend high temperatures will be close to their seasonal norms for early March, the agency said.