The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a forecast for the Inland Empire, predicting heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential thunderstorms later this week due to an atmospheric river. The weather system is expected to impact the area primarily on Thursday and Friday.
According to the NWS, a strong cold front associated with an atmospheric river band and a powerful upper-level jet stream will arrive in Southern California on Thursday. This will result in precipitation spreading across the region, intensifying in the afternoon. The NWS has not issued a flood watch yet but has highlighted an excessive rainfall outlook for southwest California on Thursday. General rainfall totals are forecasted to be 1 to 2 inches, with hourly rates possibly exceeding 0.5 inches.
Meteorologists indicate that the jet stream’s southward bend, typical during winter months, will facilitate back-to-back troughs of low pressure from the Gulf of Alaska, affecting the area on Thursday and Friday. Isolated thunderstorms and increased winds are expected ahead of these fronts.