3 Feet Of Snow Predicted To Fall On Mt. San Jacinto Easter Weekend

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — According to the latest National Weather Service report, quite a bit of rain and snow are expected to fall in Riverside County this Easter weekend as a winter storm bears down on the region.

"Widespread moderate to locally heavy precipitation will occur this weekend," the NWS reported Thursday morning. "Rain and mountain snow will begin as early as Friday night, with the heaviest and most widespread activity occurring through the day on Saturday, and again early Sunday morning through the afternoon."

Through Monday, rainfall is expected to range from around 1.5 inches near the coast to 2 to 3 inches in the mountains. For the Coachella Valley, a quarter to a half inch is predicted, according to the agency.

The snow level will fluctuate in the local mountains. It is expected to drop to around 4,500 feet Saturday night and then fluctuate around 5,000 feet on Sunday.

"There could be snowfall of 1 to 3 inches from 4,500 to 5,500 feet, 3 to 6 inches from 5,500 to 6,000 feet, 6 to 12 inches from 6,000 to 6,500 feet, 12 to 18 inches from 6,500 to 7,000 feet, with local amounts to 36 inches on the higher peaks above 9,000 feet with the greater potential for heavier snowfall on Saturday, according to the NWS.

Mount San Jacinto in Riverside County stands 10,834 feet above sea level and is the second-highest mountain range in Southern California and the tallest in the county.

Caltrans announced there are no planned road closures in the county over the Cesar Chavez Day and Easter weekend (March 29-April 2), but motorists heading to local mountains will be required to use chains at elevations above 5,000 feet.

According to the NWS, weather will be warmer and drier Tuesday and Wednesday, with Wednesday high temperatures about 5 degrees above average, mostly in the 70s across the valleys and 80s in the desert.