Two storm systems to bring rain to Southern California this week; valley could see half-inch

Rain will dampen Riverside County for much of the week and bring snow to higher elevations, according to Southland forecasters. The Coachella Valley isn't expected to see much rainfall in the early portion of the week, but a larger system may bring storms to the area Wednesday night into Thursday.

The National Weather Service said rain would begin falling in Riverside County on Monday night and continue into Tuesday morning. Heavier rain and strong winds are forecast as part of a stronger Pacific storm system expected to affect Southern California between Wednesday and Friday.

Partly to mostly cloudy skies were expected to blanket the region Tuesday, growing denser as the frontal system over the eastern Pacific approaches the area. In general, most areas were expected to see a half-inch to an inch of rain Monday and Tuesday, though the Palm Springs area was expected to see little to no rainfall those days, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow is likely for the higher elevations, with the Idyllwild area forecasted to see 1 to 2 inches Monday and Tuesday.

A pop-up ridge will provide a brief reprieve from the rain as it moves over the area Tuesday afternoon for dry weather overall and decreasing cloud coverage, forecasters said.

However, Southern California remains on track for a powerful storm system to affect the area starting Wednesday and continuing through Friday, forecasters said. Up to 6 inches of rain are expected in some areas, with snow at higher elevations. The heaviest rainfall is expected to occur late Wednesday through Thursday morning.

Rainfall from that system will likely bring more rain — potentially up to half an inch — to the Coachella Valley. Idyllwild could see a dusting of snow from those storms, but the mountain town is expected to mainly get rain later in the week.

Wind advisories and warnings are likely Wednesday into Thursday, according to the weather service.

Temperatures are expected to be cool throughout the week, with highs in the 50s and 60s in most areas. Conditions are expected to be drier from Friday through the rest of the weekend.

This article includes reporting from Desert Sun journalist Tom Coulter and City News Service.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Valley could get half-inch of rain during SoCal storm systems this week