Snow 'Whiteouts' Across RivCo Mountains: NWS Winter Storm Warning

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — As a cold low-pressure system continues to drop rain across Southern California, the National Weather Service is reminding travelers that a winter storm warning is in effect across Riverside County mountains through 10 p.m. Monday "due to accumulating snowfall and gusty westerly winds in some areas."

A winter weather advisory is also in effect for the Santa Ana Mountains, including along the Ortega Highway, where snow levels will be low enough at times for some accumulations, according to the NWS.

Snow squalls — whiteouts — are possible Monday over all local mountains, with bursts of heavy snow and very low visibility, creating a hazard for travel, the NWS reported. Some patchy fog and blowing snow will also contribute to local visibility restrictions for travelers through early evening, according to the agency.

The storm is also forecast to bring "isolated lightning strikes" across the region and very cold air, the NWS reported.

"[The storm] is also bringing with it, even colder air aloft, so the snow levels will remain low today, and could be forced locally lower at times in some of the heavier convective showers. Some of these could generate lightning, and ice pellets as well as brief, heavy rainfall rates. Overall though, any additional flooding will be localized as these showers will be on the move and fairly small," according to the NWS.

By Monday evening, most of the showers should be over the mountains. The forecast for the rest of the week calls for mostly clear skies starting Tuesday, though temperatures will remain cool across the region, the NWS reported.