The Next Storm is Already Taking Aim at Murrieta- Plan Your Christmas Travel

The rain and gusty wind affecting parts of Riverside County are expected to ease up later this morning, but a second storm system is set to hit Christmas Eve.

A National Weather Service wind advisory for the mountains and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning is scheduled to expire at 10 a.m. Winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour will be possible throughout the remainder of the advisory period along with gusts to 60 mph in some areas.

The Coachella Valley was not included under the wind advisory, but forecasters said strong winds would be possible in its northern reaches below the San Gorgonio Pass. Winds of 15 to 20 mph and gusts of up to 25 mph are expected today.

Forecasters said the winds would weaken this morning and the rain that drenched the region over the past couple days would begin to let up. However, another storm system is expected to arrive late Thursday, which may bring a white Christmas in some locales above 4,000 feet, but could also impact holiday travelers.

“This storm will bring rain and mountain snow to the region with travel impacts expected for many of the local highways and interstates,” according to the weather service. “Rain will make travel difficult along the major interstates, with mountain snow bringing impacts to several state and county highways.”

Forecasters said motorists could be affected on Interstates 8, 10 and 15 and state Route 243.

The wind and rain may lead to hazardous driving conditions. Visibility on some desert roadways may also be reduced due to blowing dust.

--City News Service