RivCo Could See Showers, Thunderstorms This Weekend

PALM DESERT, CA — A monsoonal weather system could bring rain and thunderstorms to Riverside County this weekend, the National Weather Service said.

On Saturday, county residents were urged to prepare for a flood watch, which was issued by the National Weather Service and expected to remain in effect until 11 p.m. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall was expected to impact the valleys, mountains and deserts of Riverside County.

"Due to the very high moisture level in the atmosphere (near two inches), and a weak easterly wave traversing the area, a Flood Watch is in effect today for inland areas, away from the coast. Very heavy rainfall rates are possible, which could lead to flash flooding," forecasters from the San Diego NWS office wrote on Saturday.

The storm was expected to develop slowly over the mountains Saturday afternoon. More widespread thunderstorm development was expected to arrive Sunday, with the possibility of a reissued flood watch warning.

Saturday's flood watch took effect for wide swaths of Riverside County, San Bernardino County and San Diego County.

Forecasters also predicted showers in the Los Angeles and Ventura mountiains as well as the Antelope, Santa Clarita and San Gabrial valleys.

Heavy rain was expected to douse the inland areas, but temperatures were set to remain in the low 90s, forecasters said.

Excessive runoff could result in the flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and burn scares from old wildfires, weather officials said.

There's a slight chance that rain and thunderstorms could also hit the coast, where the weather could cause dangerous rip currents and waves of 3 to 6 feet. A beach hazards statement was issued through Wednesday for Malibu and Los Angeles County beaches.

Weather officials said there's a 15 to 20 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms for most of Southern California, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"The storms are expected to produce quite a bit of rainfall,” weather service meteorologist Rich Thompson told the Times. “But any time there are thunderstorms this time of year the threat of lightning strikes is a concern for fires.”