Cold Winter Storm Touching Down in Lake Elsinore

A very cold storm out of Canada will arrive in Riverside County Tuesday night, likely triggering snowfall in unusual areas, meteorologists said.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for areas above 2,000 feet from 4 p.m. Tuesday to 4 p.m. Wednesday, saying the lower desert foothills, including Whitewater at the northern end of the Coachella Valley, were included. Locations not included were Palm Springs, Indio, Rancho Mirage, Coachella and Thermal.

“Snow levels will fall rapidly tonight to around 1,500 to 2,000 feet,” an alert from the NWS issued Tuesday states. “Heavy snow is expected in the mountains.”

Six inches to a foot of snow accumulation is likely in the mountains above 3,000 feet, with the highest totals above 5,000 feet, the NWS said, adding 1 to 5 inches is possible between 2,000 and 3,000 feet.

Snow is also expected in Yucaipa and Beaumont, according to the agency.

Temperatures overnight Tuesday will vary greatly throughout the county, from the 30s and low 40s in Riverside metropolitan areas to single digits in the mountains, according to the Weather Service.

The snow and low temperatures are expected to be accompanied by strong winds, with wind chill values possibly falling below zero in the mountains.

The Weather Service said sustained winds will be 20 to 30 miles per hour in the northern mountains, and from 10 to 20 mph in the southern mountains. Gusts will range anywhere from 30 to 50 mph, according to the agency.

Residents and travelers in the mountains were cautioned to watch out for reduced visibility due to blowing snow.

“Only travel in an emergency,” the NWS said. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, extra clothes or blankets, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

– City News Service contributed to this report.