Riverside County Under Flood Watch, Wind Advisory, With Heavy Rains Forecast

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Authorities across Riverside County are urging residents and motorists to be prepared for strong winds, heavy rain, and possible flooding beginning Tuesday night and lasting through the Christmas holiday week.

"Rain is coming. Preparation starts now," Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department urged late Monday afternoon. "Over the next several days, our area is expected to see several inches of rain. This increases the risk of flooded roads, downed power lines, and fast-moving water."

A Flood Watch is in effect from 10 p.m. Tuesday until 10 p.m. Christmas Eve across western Riverside County and the Coachella Valley. Additionally, a Wind Advisory is in effect in western Riverside County from 3 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, according to the National Weather Service.

Scattered showers are expected to develop on Tuesday, with heavy rain arriving by night.

The heavy precipitation will be caused by a strengthening "atmospheric river," the NWS reported. Like rivers in the sky, the weather can bring extreme rainfall and floods when rainfall lingers over an area.

According to the NWS, the highest risk for flash flooding is on Christmas Eve, "with a high risk for excessive rainfall that could result in damaging and potentially life-threatening flash flooding. The threat will be highest during the day on Wednesday."

Snow levels are forecast to remain above 8,000 feet into Wednesday morning, increasing the potential for rock and mudslides along mountain highways, and debris flows in and below burn scars, especially in the San Bernardino County mountains, the NWS reported.

Gusty south winds will develop Tuesday night and continue through Wednesday evening with gusts to 40 mph near the coast and to 55 to 75 mph along and below the desert slopes of the San
Bernardino County mountains, according to the NWS.

Another round of more widespread showers is expected for Christmas night into Friday. This system will have moisture from a weaker atmospheric river, the NWS reported.

Drier weather is forecast for the weekend, with high temperatures around 5 degrees below average.