Snow, Rain Forecasted In ‘Rare’ Southland Storm

Snow in local mountain communities could be accompanying a major storm system expected to move through the Southland starting Thursday night, forecasters said this week.

The Pacific storm is expected to move through San Diego County, the Inland Empire, and possibly the Coachella Valley with the heaviest precipitation coming late Friday and early Saturday.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in San Diego said the storm system has the potential to produce weather rarely seen in Southern California in September. They believe the storm could be the strongest mid-latitude September storm in the region in around 20 years.

Rainfall totals are expected to vary throughout the Southland. Forecasters expect the desert areas to take on a quarter of an inch of rain while they also expect significant amounts to affect fire burn areas.

Forecasters also say a dip in temperatures is in store as the system moves through.

Showers are expected to lighten up and then taper off by Saturday afternoon.