Cold Pacific storm to bring snow, rain, gusty winds today

RIVERSIDE - A cold Pacific storm is expected to bring snow, rain and gusty winds to already saturated Riverside County today.

According to the National Weather Service, the second storm this week will arrive late this morning and linger through Thursday.

''The snow level will be between 4,500 and 5,000 feet at the onset of the precipitation this morning, quickly lowering to around 3,000 feet this evening,'' the Weather Service advised.

A winter weather advisory is scheduled for the mountains from 1 o'clock this afternoon to 10 a.m. Thursday. Up to 6 inches of snow is expected to accumulate above 3,000 feet and lighter accumulation is possible between 2,500 and 3,000 feet, according to the Weather Service.

''Residents and travelers into higher elevations in the mountains should be prepared for hazardous winter weather and possible road closures,'' the agency advised. ''Carry chains and taken extra food, water and clothing. Travel may be impacted along Interstate 15 though the Cajon Pass and other mountain highways.''

In the Inland Empire, a high wind watch is scheduled from late tonight through Friday afternoon. Northeast winds of 25 to 35 mph are expected, with gusts up to 65 mph.

''The winds will make driving difficult, especially for motorists with high profile vehicles. Freeways most likely to impacted by strong winds include Interstate 10 and 15 in the Inland Empire and highways 210, 91 and 60,'' the Weather Service advised. ''Watch for broken tree limbs and downed power lines.''

A wind advisory will be in effect in the Coachella Valley from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. today.

First of two storms brings rain, mountain snow; second storm to arrive Wednesday

Riverside - A cold Pacific storm doused Riverside County for the second consecutive day today, adding more snow in the mountains and saturating local roadways.

Two cold winter storms are expected in the region this week, according to the National Weather Service. The first arrived late Monday morning, beginning with scattered light showers that continued off and on, and increased in intensity overnight.

As of 9 p.m. Monday, 0.67 inches of rain fell at Glen Helen Regional Park; 0.52 fell in Devore and Rancho Cucamonga; 0.09 fell in Wildomar; 0.04 fell in Temecula and Murrieta; 0.11 fell in Garner Valley; and 0.14 fell in Keenwild.

A break in the wet weather is likely to start about midday today, according to the Weather Service.

The second cold winter storm expected this week will arrive Wednesday and likely last through late Thursday morning, according to the NWS.

A high wind watch is scheduled to be in effect for the mountains from late Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon. Winds will come out of the northeast and blow at sustained speeds of between 25 and 35 miles per hour, gusting up to 70 mph, according to the Weather Service.

''The winds will make driving difficult, especially for motorists with high profile vehicles,'' an advisory warned. ''Watch for broken tree limbs and downed power lines.''

First of two storms to bring rain, mountain snow, gusty winds and cold weather

Riverside - A pair of cold winter storms is expected in Riverside County this week.

"Winter storms are poised to impact Southern California this week with periods of rain and mountain snow, gusty winds and cold weather,'' according to the National Weather Service.

The first storm is expected to arrive this morning, bringing light rain at first, followed by more widespread rain and mountain snow this afternoon and evening.

Up to a quarter-inch of rain is in store for west of the mountains and snow will fall above 5,000 feet, the NWS said.

A wind advisory is scheduled to remain in effect for the mountains until noon, when a more serious high wind warning takes effect. The high wind warning will last until 3 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Weather Service.

The first storm is expected to move east on Tuesday and be followed by a second storm on Wednesday afternoon, according to the NWS. The agency estimated that the second storm will bring another surge of cold air and gusty winds into the region from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning.

Wind advisory and High Wind Watch remain in effect on Monday

Riverside - COACHELLA COUNTIES -National Weather Service San Diego has issued a wind advisory through Monday at noon and a high wind watch remains in effect from Monday afternoon through Monday night.

There are expected to be moderate to locally strong and gusty west winds in the mountains and deserts through Monday afternoon with stronger west winds for Monday afternoon and night.

A series of low pressure systems from the northwest will bring periods of strong gusty west winds in the mountains and deserts through Monday night. Strongest winds are expected Monday afternoon and night.

* Winds through Monday morning: areas of west winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph.

* Winds for Monday afternoon and night: areas of west winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 65 mph.

* Location: strongest winds near ridge tops, along desert mountain slopes, and adjacent desert areas, and below the Banning Pass and in areas north and east of interstate 10.

* Visibility: areas of blowing dust and sand could locally reduce visibility to near zero at times.

* Impacts: winds will make driving difficult, especially for motorists with high profile vehicles. Watch for broken tree limbs and downed power lines.

A high wind watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph...or gusts of 58 mph or stronger may occur. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

A high wind watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph...or gusts of 58 mph or stronger may occur. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.