Mild today, with significant rain by Wednesday

A major storm is bearing down on California, with heavy rain already falling in the Northern part of the state. Rain is expected develop late Tuesday into Wednesday for the Coachella Valley and linger through Christmas morning as an Atmospheric River of moisture pushes in the region. We will be under a First Alert Weather Alert from Wednesday morning until midday Christmas Day (Thursday).

A flood watch goes into effect tomorrow at 4 p.m. but and lasts through Wednesday at 10 p.m., with the heaviest rain expected on Wednesday.

Rainfall pushes into the region in earnest Wednesday, and we could see some heavier showers into Thursday (Christmas) morning. Rainfall totals over the course of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be upwards of an inch on the Valley floor, with heavy rain in the mountains and Inland Empire.

Rain tapers to showers by Christmas Day in the afternoon, but showers will linger as a possibility through the weekend.