The remnants of Hurricane Priscilla were moving through the Coachella Valley and its surroundings Friday, bringing the potential for thunderstorms in much of the valley and stronger impacts, including hail, to areas on the area’s western and northern periphery.
Strong stormed move through Whitewater Friday afternoon
At around 2:30 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service issued a statement advising that doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm moving north near Whitewater at 10 mph.
The warning stated that the storm could produce half an inch of hail along with wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph with the strongest impacts likely to be seen in an area encompassing Whitewater, Cabazon, Pioneertown and northwestern sections of Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs.
The National Weather Service advised that up to 0.75 inches of rain had already fallen in portions of that area and that another half inch of rain was likely, with some minor flooding likely to result. It said that people in those locations should seek shelter inside a building.
Storms bring rain to Palm Springs; showers possible throughout valley
As of about 3:20 p.m., the storms were pushing into the Coachella Valley itself with strong rain falling on the north side of Palm Springs.
Lauren Villafane, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said there would likely be at least light showers throughout Palm Springs, with the potential for lighter rain in more southern and eastern portions of the Coachella Valley. The chance for rain in Indio was pegged at 20%.
Rain was possible across the Coachella Valley through Friday night with the skies expected to clear in the early hours of Saturday, with clear conditions and a high of 93 then expected in Palm Springs during the day.
This is a developing story.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Hurricane Priscilla bringing thunderstorms to Coachella Valley. Where will it rain?
Reporting by Paul Albani-Burgio, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
