Gulf Of Alaska Storm System Moves Into Coachella Valley

Light rain began to fall around Riverside County early today, a sign that an expected large cold trough of low pressure moving into the region from the Gulf of Alaska has arrived.

A steadier rain — heavy at times — will occur by this afternoon and continue into this evening, according to the National Weather Service.

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Rainfall amounts will range from around a quarter to three-quarters of an inch inland, and up to 1-2 inches on some mountain slopes, the agency advised, noting that snow levels of 6,000-7,000 feet will lower to near 4,000 feet by tonight.

Submit your photos of the change in the desert’s weather

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the mountains of Riverside counties for heavy snow as well as strong winds.

According to the Weather Service, a break in the wet weather will occur for Thursday before another round of precipitation develops Friday. The second storm could bring significant widespread rain and mountain snow Friday night and Saturday, with scattered showers into Sunday, the agency advised.