Stormy Skies, Cooler Temperatures Arrive In Temecula Valley, Inland Empire

TEMECULA, CA — Light to moderate rain, and some snowfall at higher elevations, are in the forecast across the Inland Empire beginning Tuesday evening, with another system anticipated for the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

"The main band of rainfall is still on track to move through Wednesday morning through mid-afternoon," the NWS said in a statement of the storm system descending out of the Pacific Northwest. "Light to moderate rain is expected in the rain band, and rainfall rates will mainly range from .1 to .2 inches per hour."

The Riverside metropolitan area is predicted to receive about a quarter inch of precipitation as the trough of low pressure lurches eastward. Lingering scattered showers are also expected Thursday, followed by clearing on Friday and most of Saturday, the weather service said.

"Snow levels during the highest chance of precipitation are expected to be 6,500 to 7,000 feet," the NWS stated. "The latest forecast has one to three inches of snow from Tuesday night through Thursday for most locations. Higher accumulations will be above 7,000 feet."

Another series of troughs are winding down from the Gulf of Alaska behind a cold front, likely to sweep across the inland region Saturday night and Sunday, with lingering impacts going into Monday of next week, forecasters said.

Along with the storm, gusting winds were expected through mountain passes and the deserts of the Inland Empire.

No precipitation amounts have been estimated yet, but as forecast models crystallize, meteorologists were expected to start making predictions.

Tuesday the Riverside metropolitan area's daytime high will top out around 70, with an overnight low in the low 50s. For the remainder of the week, highs will remain restrained due to the inclement conditions, with daytime temps in the mid 60s and lows in the upper 40s.

In the Coachella Valley, Tuesday's high will peak around 80, falling into the mid 50s overnight. From Wednesday to Saturday, highs will crest in the low 70s and bottom out in the low 50s.

The Temecula Valley's temperature range will be less than the rest, owing to coastal influences. Forecasters said Tuesday's high will reach the upper 60s, followed by a low around 50. From Wednesday to Saturday, highs will hover in the low to mid 60s, with the mercury dropping into the upper 30s at night.

Your seven day forecast from the National Weather Service is as follows for Temecula Valley, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore and Wildomar:

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Light southeast wind becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday night
Showers likely, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday
Showers likely, mainly before 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 67.

Friday Night
Clear, with a low around 39.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 68.

Saturday Night
A slight chance of showers after 10pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 43.

Sunday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

Sunday Night
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Washington's Birthday
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.