Desert Slammed By Wind, Snow And Rain

Snow fell Wednesday in the mountains surrounding the Coachella Valley and some roads were still washed out from last week’s storms.

A rainbow could be seen across scattered clouds hovering above the desert near Interstate 10 in Palm Springs, but it could also be seen throughout the Coachella Valley.

Tourists downtown bundled up as soon as sprinkles hit the ground.

“We thought it’s a bit peculiar actually,” said Janice Cullen, who is visiting from Seattle. “We even saw one (person) in a fur coat.”

Cullen and her friend Janice Schott said that their day of shopping along El Paseo in Palm Desert was not cut short by the rain.

“It’s not really too cold and you can be out and about,” said Schott.

“I still see some glimers of blue sky,” said Cullen.

Those glimers turned into flakes in Idyllwild.

Powder fell in the area for the second snow of the season.

“We thought we came prepared enough, but as you can see, I am a little wet,” said Johanna Mesa, who is visiting Idyllwild. “I wanted to get something a bit more waterproof shoe-wise. We were expecting snow but not quite this much — it’s quite deep.”

Deep enough to cause some problems to your car.

Black ice made the roads slippery.

Drivers were told to strap their tires with chains, while others fitted their hands with gloves and enjoyed the afternoon with their children playing in the snow.

“They want to get on their sleds and make a snowman — that’s their two favorites,” said Mark Bell, who was visiting Idyllwild with his kids.

Storm damage has closed Highway 330 through the winter — between Highland and Running Springs.

That area was hit hard by last week’s storms.

Back in the Coachella Valley, rain fell along Fred Waring Drive, but not enough to shut down the road.

Traffic was slow but smooth.

“We had three weeks of snow every day,” said Helene Abramowitz, who is visiting from Pennsylvania.

“So, to be here is really good,” said Ira Abramowitz.

Araby Drive at the Wash in Palm Springs is still off-limits, and it will remain closed until the area dries out, authorities said.