Flood Watch Issued Across Western Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A powerful cold front that is expected to drop several inches of rain and some snow this week in Riverside County has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Flood Watch for the region.

The watch is in effect from 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, to 4 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, across all of western Riverside County, the NWS reported Tuesday.

"An atmospheric river will generate moderate to heavy rainfall Thursday into early Friday with rainfall rates of 0.30-0.50inch/hour, locally up to 0.75 inch/hour at times on the coastal mountain slopes," the NWS said. "Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Debris flows possible in and below recent burn scars."

A Flood Watch indicates residents "should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop," the NWS reported.

Rainfall totals are expected to range from 1.5 to 2 inches along the coast to 3 to 5 inches in the mountains, with local amounts of 5 to 8 inches on the coastal slopes of the San Bernardino County mountains.

The NWS cautioned that the strength of the low-pressure system is more significant than what the region has experienced so far this winter.

"This will be definitely our wettest storm period in the past year," the agency said. "The deep moisture of both of these waves raises concerns for flooding, especially in recent burn scars."

More rain than snow is expected this week.

"The snow level near 4,500 to 5,000 feet [Tuesday] will rise to around 6,500 feet for late Wednesday afternoon, then to 7,500 to 8,000 feet for late Wednesday night and Thursday," according to the NWS.

The storm will also produce strong, gusty southwest winds, mainly in the mountains and deserts from Thursday night into Friday morning, the NWS reported.

"Wind gusts of 60-70 mph will be possible in the favored locations," the agency said.

Drier and warmer weather is expected for the weekend as the cold front moves east and a ridge of high pressure builds in from the west. High temperatures on Sunday could be around 5 degrees above average for the mountains and inland valleys, according to the NWS.