Storm Brings Possible Flooding and Record Rain to Region

A late-season Pacific storm that brought record rainfall to parts of Riverside County along with gusty wind and mountain snow was continuing to douse the region Friday.

As of 2:15 a.m., automated gauges showed that Temecula received 1.18 inches of rain, 1.14 inches was received near Hemet and 1.04 inches near Idyllwild, according to the National Weather Service. Nearly an inch of rain fell in Cranston, Vista Grande and Skinner Lake, and more than half an inch was reported in Beaumont, Murrieta and at Poppet Flats near Banning.

In the Coachella Valley, .12 inches of rain showered the Whitewater Trout Farm near Desert Hot Springs, .04 inches was collected at the Lower Tahquitz Creek near Palm Springs and .02 inches of rain fell at the Palm Springs Airport.

Forecasters said the heaviest showers were expected to come down Friday, with some weaker ones possibly lingering into the weekend. Several more inches of snow are expected to fall in the mountain altitudes higher than 6,000 feet, and a winter weather advisory for the area will remain in effect until 5 p.m.

Up to 4 inches of snow is expected to accumulate in areas from 6,000 to 6,500 feet, along with 4 to 6 inches in altitudes higher than 6,500 feet. Some mountain areas may get up to 9 inches of powder, the NWS said.

Winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour and gusts of up to 40 mph are also forecast for the mountains.

Due to the likelihood of intense downpours at times, a flash-flood watch for the mountains was slated to remain in effect into the early evening.

“Locally heavy showers could produce flash flooding as well as mud and debris flows, especially in recently burned areas and on steep terrain,” according to the weather service. “However, the position of the low pressure system will result in the possibility that heavy rains could produce flash flooding even in coastal and valley sections of San Diego County, including the City of San Diego.”

The onset of much-needed precipitation in the drought-parched county -- the second wet spell in a week -- arrived early Thursday afternoon. The .16 inches of rain in Lake Elsinore on Thursday topped the previous record of .15, set in 1939.

The storm is expected to move east and out of the region tonight.