RivCo Braces For More Rain, Flood Watch Issued

TEMECULA, CA — The Christmas Eve storm that drenched parts of the Inland Empire pushed east early Thursday, bringing a brief break before another round of significant rainfall is expected to arrive in the predawn hours Friday.

“A defined band of precipitation will move through the region beginning after midnight, spreading moderate rainfall eastward, which may be heavy at times in the mountains,” according to the National Weather Service.

The agency issued a flood watch for portions of western Riverside County and large areas of San Bernardino County, effective just after midnight through 4 p.m. Friday.

“Of particular concern is the overly saturated portions of the San Bernardino Mountains and adjacent drainage basins, spreading into the Inland Empire,” the NWS stated. “Lower intensities of rainfall will be required to lead to further instances of flash flooding, landslides and debris flows.”

Forecasters expect 1 to 3 inches of rain in and around the mountains, while lower elevations — including the Riverside metropolitan area — could see nearly an inch of precipitation before the system exits into Arizona late Friday into Saturday morning. Skies are expected to clear for the remainder of the weekend and early next week.

Here's the forecast across Riverside County on Friday:

Banning: Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 55. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Palm Desert: A chance of showers after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Temecula: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Murrieta: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Lake Elsinore: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 61. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

“Snow levels will generally remain between 7,500 and 8,000 feet for the bulk of precipitation Friday morning and afternoon, though snow levels will rapidly fall to around 5,000 feet by Saturday morning as the upper level trough of low pressure moves overhead,” the NWS said. Two to three inches of snow could accumulate near 7,000 feet, with 8 to 12 inches possible near mountain peaks.

Cal Fire and the Riverside County Office of Emergency Services used social media to urge inland residents to drive cautiously during downpours and avoid hazardous conditions when possible.

The California Highway Patrol reported numerous minor to moderate traffic collisions Wednesday due to the storm. A U.S. Postal Service vehicle overturned on wet streets in El Cerrito, though the mail carrier suffered only minor injuries.

Looking ahead, meteorologists said a moderate to strong Santa Ana wind event is possible late Sunday through Monday as high pressure builds over the Great Basin of Nevada and Utah.

“Given the recent rainfall, there's not as high of a fire concern, but the potential for strong wind gusts through and below mountain passes is worth noting,” according to the NWS.

Forecasters also noted that another atmospheric river could bring moderate to heavy rainfall around New Year’s.