Rain To Slam SWR Ahead Of New Year: Forecast

MURRIETA, CA — The National Weather Service has forecast at least two storms to blow across Southwest Riverside County and the Inland Empire into New Year's weekend and beyond.

Light rain will begin the storm early Wednesday, with just under one inch of rain forecast for the valleys and up to 1.25 inches of rain predicted for the mountains. As temperatures fall across the region, snow levels were expected to lower to 6,500 to 7,500 feet as the front tapers off, they said.

Most of Wednesday's snowfall was expected at the tail end of the first storm, according to meteorologists. Snow would fall on the highest peaks of the San Bernardino and Riverside mountains, with only trace amounts down at 7,000 feet.

Rain would give way to gusty southwest-to-west winds, with gusts of up to 45-55 mph along the mountain ridges and upper desert slopes. In other areas, residents should expect gusts from 25-40 mph.

Over New Year's Weekend, the largest amount of rain was expected Saturday night into Sunday morning, tapering off through the day.

"While moisture with this system isn't as deep as the first, the storm is much stronger," meteorologists said. Snow was expected to reach as low as 6,000 feet by Sunday morning with accumulations that could impact New Year's Day travel down the mountain roads.

Given the current forecast, the second will be the wetter of the two storm systems, according to the NWS report, adding that there is potential for a third storm system to begin early next week.

"One thing that is certain is that we will remain in a cool and unsettled weather pattern through much of next week," they said.

TEMECULA FORECAST:

A slight chance of showers before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 56. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night
A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday
A slight chance of showers before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night
A slight chance of showers after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Saturday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Saturday Night
Showers, mainly before 4am. The rain could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

New Year's Day
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.