Flood Watch, Heavy Rain In Murrieta's Forecast, More Storms Coming

MURRIETA, CA — Riverside County will see heavy rainfall and possible thunderstorms into Tuesday, prompting a flood watch to be issued for the county's valley and mountain areas.

The flood watch will be in effect for Southwest Riverside County through Tuesday evening, the National Weather Service said.

The National Weather Service predicts possible thunderstorms on Tuesday for downtown Riverside, Hemet and Southwest Riverside County, where winds are expected to come in at 10 to 20 mph and some as high as 30 mph.

With heavy rain forecasted to hit the Inland Empire Monday and Tuesday, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reminded drivers that a mere six inches of water could knock a full-grown adult down in a flash flood and that water can wash you away. A foot of water can carry away a car, and two feet of water can carry away an SUV, van, or truck.

"In the event of encountering a flood, turn around, don't drown," they said over social media. "Don't underestimate the power of water."

In the mountains, gusts of 40 mph were expected Monday evening and 45 mph Tuesday evening. The snow level is expected to get down to 5,500 by Tuesday evening.

Tuesday's temperatures are expected to be chillier throughout the county with downtown Riverside, Hemet and Temecula predicted around the mid-50s by day and mid-40s by night.

Coachella Valley and Palm Springs will be slightly warmer during the day around the mid-60s but will be just as chilly at night with temperatures in the mid-40s.

Partly sunny skies should return Wednesday as the weather begins to warm up for the rest of the week, but showers are likely again for most of the county next Saturday.

Murrieta's Weather Forecast:

Today
A chance of showers, mainly after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight
A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11pm. Low around 51. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 56. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tuesday Night
A chance of showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southwest 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.

Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.

Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

Friday Night
A slight chance of showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Saturday
Showers likely. The rain could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Saturday Night
Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a low around 45.

Read for more information on incoming storms.