Weather Service Issues Special Statement On This Week's Cold Storm

Weather forecasters issued a special statement Tuesday advising residents of impending wintry weather.

According to the National Weather Service, a cold low pressure system will move over the Inland Empire from the Gulf of Alaska late Wednesday through late Thursday, with lingering rain expected Friday.

“This system will bring widespread rain, mountain snow, and gusty onshore winds in the mountains and deserts. The brunt of the precipitation is expected Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Very cold air aloft may cause isolated
thunderstorms to form during the day Thursday,” the NWS reported Tuesday.

Moderate rain is expected west of the mountains, with total rainfall forecast from one-half to three-quarters of an inch, according to the NWS.

Along with possible thunderstorms Thursday, some hail, gusty winds, and “dangerous cloud-to-cloud lightning” is expected, the NWS reported.

The snow level could drop as low as 4,000 feet, and snow flurries are possible in the high desert, the NWS reported.

High temperatures Thursday are expected to be 10 to 15 degrees below seasonal averages. The daytime high temperature in Thursday is expected to be 58 degrees in Lake Elsinore, with an overnight low of 38, according to the NWS.