Events Postponed As Storm Approaches Coachella Valley

An inclement weather forecast for the Coachella Valley this weekend forced the postponement of the second annual “Brew at the Zoo” at the Living Desert, organizers announced on Thursday.

The event, which was to have been held Saturday in Palm Desert was rescheduled to April 15 at 5 p.m.

Prepaid tickets for the event will be honored on the new date. Tickets are non-refundable.

The postponement of this event and the La Quinta Youth Festival come as forecasters predict a “very cold” storm system will move into the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs area just in time for the weekend, bringing possibly record-setting cold temperatures to the area mountains.

Organizers for “Rock the House” at Palm Desert Charter School said their event was still set for the weekend, rain or shine. Volunteers told News Channel 3 they were setting up their tents and were ready to go Friday afternoon. Organizers said they were getting calls from people thinking the event was off.

The storm – the result of a low pressure system coming from Canada – was expected to move south along the west coast Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service. It was expected to move inland, hitting Southern California on Friday and Saturday.

Forecasters said the storm was expected to spread rain and mountain snow with strong winds across the region on Friday night with showers continuing on Saturday. Wind gusts could reach 50 miles-per-hour.

Once the cold front moves through on Saturday morning, the snow level was expected to drop as low as 1,500-2,000 feet, dropping snow on some higher inland valley communities.

The San Gorgonio Pass, just west of Palm Springs, has an elevation of 1,594 feet, meaning drivers could see slick conditions.

Forecasters warned the weather could be deadly for unprepared motorists, campers or hikers.

Stay with KESQ.com and News Channel 3 for the latest as the storm approaches.