Powerful Storm To Impact California
KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2’s First Alert Forecast Team is tracking the third storm in this week’s string of storms.
The third and strongest storm for the week arrives today! Heavy rain and snow along with gusty winds will be felt across Southern California into the early work week.
Heavy snow on the mountains is anticipated with more than 2 feet of snow possible in elevations over 7,000′. The snow level will drop near 3,000′ by Monday night as cold air moves in behind the front. With wind gusts over 50 MPH likely, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from noon Sunday through 6PM Monday. Travel will be dangerous due to snow covered roads, strong winds and low visibility.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the Coachella Valley, nearby areas include the San Jacinto & Santa Rosa Mountains as well as through the San Gorgonio Pass. A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Within this storm, heavy rain with rainfall rates at 1″ per hour is possible. The heaviest rain is expected Sunday afternoon and night. Rainfall estimates for the Coachella Valley range from 0.10″ – 0.75″. The watch is not scheduled to expire until Monday night.
Not only will our desert experience rain but also gusty winds as the winter storm moves inland. The strongest winds will arrive late Sunday and a Wind Advisory for the San Gorgonio Pass and High Desert will go into effect Monday morning. The advised area is expecting west winds 20-30 MPH with gusts near 50 MPH. The Coachella Valley will feel winds strengthen to 10-20 MPH with stronger gusts. Extra caution while driving is recommended as tree limbs and/or other debris may create difficulty for motorists.
96-Hour Storm Totals as of 6AM Sunday:
Beaumont: 2.47″
Pinyon Pines: 2.15″
Rialto: 2.12″
Cabazon: 2.02″
Yucca Valley: 1.38″
March AFB: 1.18″
Palm Springs: 0.97″
Joshua Tree: 0.77″
Cathedral City: 0.75″
Twentynine Palms: 0.57″
Drier and warmer conditions are forecast for the middle of the upcoming work week.
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