Rain, Mountain Snow Heads To Southwest Riverside County: How Much, And When To Expect It

SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The temperature is falling, and rain is expected to spread across parts of the Inland Empire and linger into the first half of the weekend, though precipitation is forecast to be light, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency said an upper-level trough of low pressure that formed over the Pacific and reached Central California Wednesday afternoon will "dig down" into the inland region Thursday, generating sporadic rain, which won't be intense.

"The latest guidance is indicating hourly rainfall rates will range from .05-.25 inches per hour," the NWS said in a statement. "Rates at or near .25 inches per hour will be fairly isolated and most likely occur Friday."

Rainfall accumulations will be low in most places, meteorologists said.

Eyes are focused on the San Bernardino Mountains and ski areas. Snow levels will be above 8,000 feet until Friday night, when frozen precipitation may materialize around 6,500 feet, according to the Weather Service. The highest snowfall will occur at or above 7,000, with one or two inches of snow possible by Saturday.

The trough will be gone by Saturday night, followed by a ridge of high pressure that will spur the return of mild, dry conditions, according to forecasters.

For Thursday to Sunday, daytime highs in the Riverside metropolitan area will generally top out in the mid 60s, falling into the low to mid 40s during nighttime hours.

In the Coachella Valley, the mercury will hover in the low 70s, followed by overnight temps in the upper 40s, from Thursday to Sunday.

The Temecula Valley's daytime highs will hold in the low 60s, dropping into the upper 30s at night, the NWS said.

The seven-day weather forecast in Banning and Beaumont is as follows:

Thursday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday night
A chance of showers before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Breezy.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 71.

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.