Gusting Winds, Rain, Mountain Snow: Pass Area Weekend Weather Forecast

BANNING, CA — Rainfall and intense winds are forecasted for the Inland Empire to close out the week, according to the National Weather Service.

A storm system currently dragging across the Pacific Northwest is expected to produce rain and snow Friday night, Saturday, and to a lesser extent Sunday morning, the NWS said.

"This storm is expected to bring gusty winds, periods of precipitation and cooler conditions to Southern California," the Weather Service said in a statement. "The main weather impact from this system is shaping up to be strong, gusty west winds over the mountains and into the deserts."

Average wind speeds of 25 mph are anticipated in wind-prone channels, with gusts over 60 mph in some locations, the agency said.

The cold front will trigger the first round of rain Friday night, but it will be mostly light and variable, with heavier downpours predicted Saturday, according to meteorologists.

"The forecast has one-tenth to one-quarter inch near the coast, one-quarter to one-half inch in the valleys, and one-half to one-inch in the mountains," the NWS stated.

"Snow levels will be around 6,000 feet for early Saturday and will fall to around 4,000 feet for early Sunday. There is still some uncertainty in the timing, but precipitation is expected to be tapering off as the snow levels drop to their lowest Sunday morning."

The system will exit to the east on Sunday, followed by mild, dry conditions going into early next week.

In the Temecula Valley, daytime temps will hover in the mid-60s, dipping into the upper 40s Thursday, with highs in the mid-50s and lows in the mid-40s Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, according to forecasters. Rain is expected, though not as much as in the northern parts of the state, which will see winter weather and snow.

High temperatures in the Riverside metropolitan area on Thursday will reach the upper 60s to low 70s, with lows in the upper 40s. However, Friday through Sunday, daytime temps will peak in the upper 50s, with overnight lows in the mid-40s.

In the Coachella Valley, highs will approach 80 on Thursday, with lows in the low 50s, while from Friday to Sunday, the mercury will max out in the upper 60s, with lows around 50.

Pass Area Weekend Weather Forecast: National Weather Service:

Thursday
Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 61. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday night
Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday
A slight chance of rain after 4pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 57. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.

Friday Night
Rain likely, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday Night
Rain likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday
A chance of showers, mainly before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 57.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 60.

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Wednesday
A slight chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.