More Rain Possible; RivCo Flash Flood Warning Still in Effect

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – PHOTO: Massive water flow Sunday in La Cresta, Murrieta area, on a driveway bridge. Image via Kevin C.

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More rain and mountain snow at elevations as low as 4,000 feet are expected in Riverside County Monday as the last in a series of three winter storms moves through Southern California.

Numerous National Weather Service warnings, watches and advisories remain in effect in various parts of the Inland Empire, but most will expire later Monday as the storm begins to move out of the area. Showers will continue during the day, with the greatest precipitation totals mostly near the mountains, then will gradually decrease through Tuesday.

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A high wind warning for Riverside and the surrounding valleys expired at 6 a.m. But winds were persisting in the San Gorgonio Pass zone, which includes the cities of Banning and Desert Hot Springs, blowing at between 20 to 30 miles per hour with higher gusts. A less severe wind advisory will be in effect in those areas to 6 p.m.

A winter storm warning for the mountains, denoting an expectation of heavy snowfall that could affect traffic, is set to expire at 6 p.m. Snow showers will continue through Tuesday, though weakened.

A flash flood watch for the entire county, including the Coachella Valley, prompted by heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms will also expire this evening.

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In a 24-hour period ending at 7 p.m. Sunday, top rainfall amounts recorded around the county were 2.48 inches in Norco; 2.19 in Murrieta; 2.17 in Temecula; 2.09 at Railroad Canyon Dam; 1.65 at Lake Matthews; 1.59 at Presidential Park in Riverside; 1.46 at the Whitewater Trout Farm; 1.40 in French Valley; 1.37 at the lower Tahquitz Creek; 1.34 in Tick Ridge; 1.32 in Anza; and 1.30 in the Morongo Valley, according to NWS data.

An urban and small stream flood advisory for areas along the Coachella Canal will remain in effect until 5:15 p.m. Tuesday.

"Moderate to heavy rainfall on the mountain slopes will be draining into the Whitewater River Basin through Monday night, along with surface flow from periods of showers moving over the Coachella Valley," according to the NWS. "This will create flows through the Coachella Canal capable of inundating low-water crossings, and may create pockets of dangerous, swift-water stretches."

Forecasters said flooding would likely occur in Bermuda Dunes, Cathedral City, Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Mecca, Palm Desert, northern Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Thermal, Thousand Palms and Whitewater.

Though rain was light in the desert Monday morning, several road closures were in effect due to flooding that occurred over the weekend.

In Palm Springs, North Indian Canyon Drive, Vista Chino, Gene Autry Trail, Araby Drive and Golf Club Drive were all closed at the wash, while in Cathedral City, Cathedral Canyon Drive was also closed at the wash.

In Desert Hot Springs, police announced closures on Indian Canyon Avenue, between Mission Lakes and Pierson boulevards, Little Morongo Road between Dillon Road and Two Bunch Palms Trail, and Dillon Road between Atlantic Avenue and Little Morongo Road.

The storm is expected to weaken Tuesday, and building high pressure is expected to bring drier, warmer weather Wednesday through next weekend, according to the weather service.

ALSO SEE:

• Riverside County Urges Residents To Prepare For Coming Storms
• Great Save for Steed in Need, Stuck in Mud!

--City News Service