Wind, Rain End Precede LPGA Tournament
Heavy rain waited just long enough for a shortened NASCAR race to be squeezed in today, but a late-winter storm has begun unloading on the Inland Empire.
An estimated 100,000 car racing fans saw rain arrive some 258 miles into the Auto Club 400 race at Fontana. Just before 2 p.m., rain forced drivers off the track, and the race was called off at 2:20 p.m.
Tony Stewart completed 258 of the scheduled 400 miles and was declared the official winner.
The storm out of the Gulf of Alaska could bring as much as a foot of snow to the mountains at elevations of 6,000 feet or higher.
The NWS issued a wind advisory until 3 a.m. on Monday, with gusts of up to 55 miles per hour expected in some areas.
Up to an inch of rain was expected in the lower elevations on the west side of the San Gorgonio Pass, and thunderstorms were possible, according to the NWS.
As of Sunday evening, no rain had fallen in Palm Springs, and there were no serious reports of damage.
At elevations of 5,000 feet or higher, a winter weather advisory will go into effect at 6 p.m. and continue through 3 a.m. Monday. Winds will be out of the southwest at 15-25 mph, gusting to about 40 mph overnight, according to the NWS.
Forecasters predicted a slight chance of showers Monday morning. Tuesday, but sunny skies and warmer weather was forecasted for the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage.
