SNOW WAY! Storm Brings Wind, Rain, Snow Near Temecula

Gusty wind, rain and mountain snow are expected to bedevil Riverside County Monday as a strong cold front moves through the region. But the cold will not last long, weather officials say.

A National Weather Service winter weather advisory warning of moderate to heavy snow in mountain areas with altitudes higher than 7,000 feet was in effect until 10 a.m. Forecasters said up to 3 inches of snow could accumulate in lower elevations, as could up to 6 inches in areas between 7,000 and 8,000 feet and up to 10 inches on the highest peaks.

As of 9 a.m., the "tram cam" atop the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway showed the area covered in a blanket of white powder. Tram officials tell Patch they recored just over an inch in the first snowfall of the season.

Forecasters said the snow level was expected to fall to around 6,500 feet early Monday, and rain on southwest facing slopes would transition into snow. Brief bursts of heavy snow will be possible, which could cause mountain roads to become dangerously slick.

"The period of most widespread and significant snowfall will be from midnight to 6 a.m. Scattered snow showers will continue through midday Monday," the weather service said overnight.

The storm is also expected to continue dropping rain, with scattered showers possible into the evening hours.

As of 2 a.m., the storm had already dropped .86 of an inch of rain in Perris; .48 in Norco; .42 in Wildomar;.35 in Murrieta and Temecula; .34 in Riverside and Home Gardens; .32 in Beaumont; .31 in Romoland; .28 in San Jacinto; .27 at March Field and in Winchester; .24 at Lake Mathews and in Moreno Valleyand Vista Grande; .23 in Idyllwild and Pine Cove; .19 in Lake Elsinore; .17 in Banning; .12 in Anza; .11 in Hemet; .04 in Cabazon, Desert Hot Springs, Mission Creek, Pinyon Pines and Whitewater; and .01 in Corona.

Gusty winds will also continue whipping through parts of Riverside County. A NWS wind advisory for the mountains and the San Gorgonio Pass zone, which includes the city of Desert Hot Springs, will remain in effect until 8 p.m.

Southwest winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected, according to the NWS.

The wind, rain and snow could make for hazardous travel conditions, and may lead to delays and closures. Drivers in snowy areas were advised to carry tire chains and extra food and clothing.

Forecasters say the storm will head out of the region after Monday.

The weather will then be "...dry with a warming trend for Tuesday through Thanksgiving with higher pressure aloft and offshore winds, then cooler into next weekend as another trough potentially moves in through the Desert Southwest."

Here is the detailed forecast for Temecula through Thanksgiving, courtesy of the National Weather Service:

Today
Showers likely, mainly before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the evening.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Thanksgiving Day
Sunny, with a high near 77.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Image credit: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway / City News Service contributed to this report.