Snow Forecast In RivCo Foothills, Level Could Fall To 1,500 Feet

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The National Weather Service issued warnings and advisories across Riverside County as a round of winter storms is forecast to batter the region this week.

Snow levels were expected to drop to 1,500 to 2,500 feet in all Riverside County foothills and mountains beginning Tuesday night, according to the NWS.

"Temperatures and snow levels take a significant dive later this evening," the NWS reported Tuesday morning.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday across all of western Riverside County. In elevations above 2,500 feet, a more urgent Winter Storm Warning is in effect through 6 p.m. Thursday. Commuters who travel between Orange and Riverside counties on state Route 74 are impacted by the latter.

While overall snow accumulations Tuesday night were forecast to be relatively light, more substantial precipitation arrives later Wednesday afternoon and evening, the NWS reported.

"Accumulating snow will be possible even in some of the valleys down to around 2,000-2,500 feet
in elevation starting early Wednesday and lasting through Thursday. Snow will also be possible in portions of the High Deserts during this time as well ...," according to the agency.

Temperatures in Southwest Riverside County, downtown Riverside, the San Gorgonio Pass Area and across the desert will be unseasonably cold.

"As implied by the very low snow levels, it will be notably cooler than seasonal normals through much of the week ahead," the NWS reported. "Afternoon high temperatures each day through the weekend will be anywhere from 10 to 25 degrees cooler than normal, with Wednesday and Thursday as the coolest days.

"These days will be characterized by highs in the lower 50s near the coast, widespread 40s in the valleys, lower 20s to lower 30s in the mountains, and deserts ranging from lower 40s to upper 50s," the agency continued. "Many daily records for lowest maximum temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday will be in jeopardy."

With the cold air will be a wind onslaught. The NWS issued a Wind Advisory that is in effect through 6 p.m. Wednesday across all of western Riverside County.

Stronger winds were predicted in the desert, with a High Wind Warning in effect through 6 p.m. Wednesday, the NWS reported.

"West winds will steadily increase ..., becoming strong and potentially damaging," according to the NWS.

Models show "the potential for triple-digit wind gust readings in the mountains and desert foothills" while communities countywide can expect "a significant wind event," the agency reported.

Another storm is set to move in later this week.

"This next system will also be able to tap into at least a weak atmospheric river component, supporting potential for heavier rainfall starting late Thursday through Saturday," according to the NWS.

Total precipitation through the weekend will range from around 2 inches at the coast to over 6 inches in the mountains. Given the relatively low snow levels, many mountain communities will have the potential to see several feet of accumulating snow through Sunday, the NWS reported.