Wind, rain, snow expected Monday, diminishing by Tuesday

RIVERSIDE - Strong westerly winds were expected to blow through Riverside County mountains and the Coachella Valley tonight and Monday, then diminish by Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service reported.

And a winter weather advisory was issued for inland elevations above 5,500 feet, starting at 5 a.m. Monday. Snow will start falling in the morning above the 7,000-foot contour, lowering to 5,500 feet by the end of the day.

About 4-7 inches of snow may accumulate, with mountains above 7,000 feet seeing as much as 10 inches, the NWS predicted.

That measn a white Monday is likely for Idyllwild and Pine Cove, as well as the San bernardino County resort areas.

A low pressure system moving southward down the Pacific Coast will create a strong onshore flow starting at 10 p.m. tonight and die out by 8 a.m. Tuesday, meteorologist Brett Albright said.

The strongest lowland winds will be felt in the Coachella Valley, and in the mountains, Albright said.

Westerly winds of 20-30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 55 mph, were forecast. Visibility in the deserts will be reduced by dust, which could prove hazardous for drivers, the NWS reported.

Motorists were urged to keep an eye out for fallen tree branches, according to the NWS.

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Late tonight through early Tuesday a low pressure system will be developing which is expected to bring some rainfall and strong gusty winds, with isolated gusts up to 70 mph, mainly on Monday.

The rainfall is expected to gradually spread southward late tonight and Monday with the main period of more significant precipitation along and west of the mountains late Monday through Monday evening. Rainfall amounts are expected to range from one quarter to one third inch near the coast to one inch to two inches in the mountains. Bands of heavier showers could cause local mud and debris flows in recently burned areas, mainly Monday evening.

The snow level will lower to 5000 to 5500 feet for late Monday through early Tuesday. Snowfall of 3 to six inches is possible above 5500 to 6000 feet with isolated amounts of 6 to 10 inches on the highest peaks, mainly above 8000 feet.

Temperatures will be much cooler for Monday with high temperatures 10 to 15 degrees below average, upper 50s to mid 60s for the coast and valleys, and 30s and 40s in the mountains. Upper deserts will be the mid 50s and 70s in the lower deserts. Slightly warmer for Tuesday.