Showers, Cooler Temperatures Head To Coachella Valley: Your 7 Day Forecast

PALM DESERT, CA — The temperature is falling, and rain is expected to spread across parts of the Inland Empire and linger into the first half of the weekend, though precipitation is forecast to be light, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency said an upper-level trough of low pressure that formed over the Pacific and reached Central California Wednesday afternoon will "dig down" into the inland region Thursday, generating sporadic rain, which won't be intense.

"The latest guidance is indicating hourly rainfall rates will range from .05-.25 inches per hour," the NWS said in a statement. "Rates at or near .25 inches per hour will be fairly isolated and most likely occur Friday."

Rainfall accumulations will be low in most places, meteorologists said.

Eyes are focused on the San Bernardino Mountains and ski areas. Snow levels will be above 8,000 feet until Friday night, when frozen precipitation may materialize around 6,500 feet, according to the Weather Service. The highest snowfall will occur at or above 7,000, with one or two inches of snow possible by Saturday.

The trough will be gone by Saturday night, followed by a ridge of high pressure that will spur the return of mild, dry conditions, according to forecasters.

For Thursday to Sunday, daytime highs in the Riverside metropolitan area will generally top out in the mid 60s, falling into the low to mid 40s during nighttime hours.

In the Coachella Valley, the mercury will hover in the low 70s, followed by overnight temps in the upper 40s, from Thursday to Sunday.

The Temecula Valley's daytime highs will hold in the low 60s, dropping into the upper 30s at night, the NWS said.

The seven-day weather forecast in Palm Desert is as follows:

Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind.

Thursday night
A slight chance of showers after 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 67.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 69.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 72.

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 50.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 73.