El Nino Storm Brings Snow to Riverside County: Photos

Snow falling on Monday afternoon atop Mount San Jacinto, as seen from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway's Long Valley Camera.

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA- As an El Nino storm system made its way through Riverside County on Monday, it brought with it heavy showers and snow at lower-than-normal elevations.

According to National Weather Service Meteorologist Brett Albright, snow was reported at elevations around 3,500 feet.

"That's pretty low around here," he said.

Though the snow didn't stick at those elevations, it did accumulate a couple inches in the nearby San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains, according to preliminary estimates.

On social media, the below image shows snow falling near the Bank of Hemet in Anza.

"We've seen the two strongest rounds come through for today," Albright told Patch around 1:15 p.m., adding that scattered showers should continue through much of the evening, and clear out beginning Tuesday.

More rain is possible come Friday, he said.

>> Did you see snow falling near you? If so, share your images with renee.schiavone@patch.com.

Forecasters predicted 8 to 14 inches of snow could accumulate at altitudes of more than 5,500 feet, and up to 18 inches could fall in areas higher than 7,000 feet by the time the storm is done. A few inches will likely accumulate in locales as low as 4,500 feet. One to 1 1/2 inches of rain is also expected in some mountain areas, along with .40 to .75 of an inch of rain west of the mountains and a quarter to half an inch in the deserts, including the Coachella Valley.

Those who live in or are traveling through the mountains Monday were advised to carry tire chains, extra food and clothing.

High temperatures predicted to be around 10 to 15 degrees below average were also attributed to the storm. But forecasters said near normal temperatures would return Tuesday.

High temperatures today were forecast to be 53 to 60 degrees in the valleys around Riverside, 38 to 46 degrees in the mountains, 57 to 62 degrees along the San Gorgonio Pass and 62 to 67 degrees in the Coachella Valley.

— City News Service contributed to this report.