Weekend Snow Expected In Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Idyllwild

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — Mother Nature has a bait-and-switch planned for the weekend ahead.

After a workweek of warm weather, a pair of weekend storms will bring a high chance of snow to local mountains and rain across western Riverside County, according to the National Weather Service.

In the San Bernardino County Mountains, which includes Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, and in the mountains above Riverside County, including in the Idyllwild area, a 30 percent chance of snow is forecast Friday night, increasing to 70 percent by Saturday and Sunday.

"The snow level is expected to fluctuate around 5,000 feet for the weekend," according to the NWS. "In the mountains in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, there could be 4 to 8 inches of snow at resort levels with around one foot on the highest peaks. In San Diego County, there might be a dusting on the highest peaks."

Caltrans advised motorists to bring chains if they plan on heading to the local mountains this weekend.

The snow is not expected to stick for long. Daytime temperatures in the mountains are forecast in the mid-30s, with overnight temperatures in the low 30s.

In much of western Riverside County, which stretches from Temecula northward to the Banning area and Cherry Valley, rain is on tap starting Friday night and through the weekend. Saturday and Sunday, the chance of rain increases to 70 percent, according to the NWS. Daytime highs will reach the mid-50s, with overnight lows in the 40s.

Even the Coachella Valley is expected to see some wet, cool weather this weekend. According to the NWS, the chance of rain in the area will reach 40 percent Saturday and Sunday, with daytime temperatures hovering in the mid-60s with overnight lows in the high 40s.

Thursday "will be the warmest day of the week with increasing high clouds from the south," the NWS said. "For Friday through the weekend, a pair of low pressure systems from the north will bring much cooler and windy weather with periods of showers from the coast to the mountains for Friday night through Sunday night."

Rainfall is expected to be greater in San Diego County with less to the north. Total rainfall for Friday night through Sunday night for Orange, southwestern San Bernardino, and western Riverside counties is expected to range from one-half to three-quarters of an inch at the coast to 1 to 1.5 inches on southwest facing mountain slopes with locally greater amounts, according to the NWS.

For San Diego County, rainfall is expected to range from one half to one inch at the coast to 1 to 2 inches in the mountains with locally greater amounts, the NWS reported.

Drier weather with a slow warming trend will begin Monday, according to the NWS.