Flooded Streets, Mountain Snow, Wind: Caution Urged For RivCo Drivers

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A strong Pacific storm moving inland Thursday through California is bringing gusty south winds to Riverside County, along with local flooding and mountain snow.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm will become more "showery" Thursday afternoon but will move through overnight.

A wind advisory is in effect until 4 p.m. Thursday for the Riverside County valleys and mountains. A flood watch was also in effect until 12 p.m. Thursday for Southwest Riverside County, the Pass Area, and the Riverside metropolitan region, according to the NWS.

While rain is forecast in the Coachella Valley, no NWS watches or advisories were in effect.

A winter weather advisory was in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday for Riverside County mountain communities. The snow level was expected to drop to 6,500 feet Thursday.

Local communities across Riverside County have posted signs on flood-prone streets. Motorists are urged to use caution.

Caltrans officials cautioned motorists statewide to stay off the roads if possible.

"Caltrans districts statewide are coordinating with local & state officials to assist with this latest storm system. TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED," the agency tweeted Tuesday.

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm are possible before 5 p.m. Thursday across Riverside County, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m., according to the NWS.

"Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall," the NWS reported.

Rainfall amounts in western Riverside County are predicted between three-quarters to 1 inch Thursday, according to the NWS. In the Coachella Valley, forecasters are predicting between a tenth- and a quarter-inch of rain.

The storm system is expected to move out Thursday night with drier conditions and a little warmer days Friday and Saturday.

Some light precipitation could reach portions of Southern California on Sunday, with increasing chances for rain early next week, according to the NWS.