Grab Your Umbrella Today! Rain In The Forecast

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA - The gusty winds whipping through parts of Riverside County are expected to ease up before dawn today, but scattered showers will persist into the weekend.

A National Weather Service wind advisory for the mountains and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning was set to expire at 5 a.m. Winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour will be possible until then, along with gusts to 50 mph.

"A slow moving low pressure system will bring locally strong gusty west winds through early this morning in portions of the mountains and deserts of Riverside and San Diego counties,'' according to the weather service.

Forecasters warned that blowing dust may skew visibility in some areas, and strong winds may make for locally hazardous travel.

The wind advisory did not apply to the Coachella Valley, where winds of about 15 mph this morning will lighten up later today.

However, forecasters predicted cooler weather, a chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms with a 50 percent chance of measurable precipitation through tonight, and a slight chance of showers Saturday in the majority of Riverside County, including the Coachella Valley.

The rain may lead to flooding, and a flash flood watch for the mountains, the San Gorgonio Pass and the Coachella Valley will remain in effect from noon through this evening.

"Bands of heavier showers and isolated thunderstorms could cause local small stream flooding with isolated flash flooding possible,'' according to the weather service.

Rainfall amounts from the storm are expected to be about .07 of an inch in Thermal, a tenth of an inch in Palm Springs, .24 of an inch in Riverside, .34 of an inch in Temecula, .43 of an inch in Lake Elsinore, .68 of an inch in Hemet and .69 of an inch in Anza, according to the NWS.

• Also see: Slippery When Wet! CHP Reminds You How To Drive In Drizzly Weather and What To Do If Hydroplaning

--City News Service/File photo