Get Ready for the Rain, and Snow Nearby, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar

A cold storm will bring rain, snow and gusty winds to Riverside County this weekend, meteorologists said Friday.

The National Weather Service said that the showers may start as early as Friday evening but will be most widespread Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning. Rainfall totals from the entire weekend are expected to be up to two inches.

Heavy snow is likely in areas above 5,000 feet, according to the Weather Service, which scheduled a winter storm watch for the local mountains from Saturday afternoon to Monday afternoon.

“Be prepared for potentially hazardous winter travel through the regional mountains and passes,” the NWS said.

Less than four inches of snow accumulation is forecasted for areas between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, four to eight inches is expected from 5,000 to 6,000 feet and eight to 12 inches is expected from 6,000 to 7,000 feet.

In addition to the winter storm watch, a wind advisory is scheduled for the mountains and Coachella Valley from 6 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Sunday. In issuing the wind advisory, the NWS said sustained west winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour and gust up to 55 mph are likely.

“Wintry weather may extend into Tuesday,” the agency said. “Stay tuned to later forecasts to fine tune the expected conditions and amounts.”

Here’s the full National Weather Service for Lake Elsinore for the next few days:

• Late Afternoon Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Friday night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Saturday: Showers likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Saturday Night: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 10pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a low around 45. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
• Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
• Tuesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.

– City News Service contributed to this report.
(Image via Shutterstock)