Lake Elsinore Weather: Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds Up to 75 MPH Predicted in RivCo

LAKE ELSINORE, CA- A Pacific storm is expected to hit Riverside County Thursday with rain and potentially damaging winds.

A National Weather Service high wind warning for the mountains, the Coachella Valley and the San Gorgonio Pass zone, which includes the cities of Banning and Desert Hot Springs, will extend from 4 p.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday. West to southwest winds of 20 to 40 miles per hour will be possible, along with gusts of 60 to 75 mph in certain areas.

"Winds will become very strong late this afternoon through Friday with gusts to 75 mph on mountain ridge tops and localized gusts to 60 mph on the desert floor," according to the weather service.

Rain is also expected throughout the region. Predicted rainfall amounts include:

• .14 of an inch in Thermal
• .25 in Palm Springs
• .70 in Hemet
• .77 in Riverside
• .98 in Temecula
• 1.17 inches in Lake Elsinore
• 1.35 in Anza

As for Lake Elsinore in particular, here is the local forecast for the next couple days, according to the National Weather Service:

This Afternoon
A slight chance of showers before 4pm, then rain after 4pm. High near 68. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tonight
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 51. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Friday
Rain before 10am, then showers likely, mainly between 10am and 4pm. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 61. West wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Friday Night
Isolated showers before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming west in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 54. Light west wind becoming north 15 to 20 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

"The main players in this storm will be significant rain everywhere and locally heavy rain in the mountains," according to the weather service. "Strong winds will also be a factor especially in the mountains, deserts and coastal waters."

Forecasters said gusty winds in the deserts and along the mountains' deserts slopes may produce areas of blowing dust and strong cross winds that could make travel difficult along portions of Interstates 8 and 10.

"Strong winds can make driving difficult, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles and vehicles towing trailers," according to the weather service. "Winds this strong may down trees and power lines and cause property damage."

Rain may also wreak havoc on area roadways and slick conditions are expected during the morning commute Friday.

Temperatures are not expected to drop to where significant snowfall is possible, according to the NWS.

"Snow will not be a big factor, unless you happen to be hanging out above 8,000 feet," according to the weather service.

The storm is expected to move out of the area Friday night and cooler, drier weather will follow.

– City News Service contributed to this report / Image via Shutterstock