Portions of the Coachella Valley could see thunderstorms that produce sudden and strong bursts of rain Friday and especially Saturday, the National Weather Service says.Meteorologist Sebastian Westerink said an upper level low pressure system over the eastern portion of Southern California is producing rain to the west as the system rotates.
As a result, Westerink said it is likely mountain areas surrounding the Coachella Valley could see thunderstorms and showers starting Friday afternoon, Sept. 26, although the valley itself is unlikely to see rain then.
He said stray showers could continue in the mountains overnight before storm activity ramps up during the day on Saturday, Sept. 27. Between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. is when the Coachella Valley will see its greatest chances of rain, likely in the form of isolated thunderstorms that could drop up to half an inch of rain in spots — even if nothing falls nearby. The chance of rain on Saturday is about 50 to 60% throughout the valley.
“It would happen in a very concentrated timeframe, so it could be like half an inch in 15 minutes or half an inch in 30 minutes, which could cause at least minor flash flooding problems,” he said.
Westerink said the thunderstorms will likely be stronger and more widespread in the mountains, with up to an inch of rain possible in spots.
On Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch saying flooding is possible in mountain areas of Riverside, San Diego and San Bernardino counties. The watch, which extends from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, does not apply to the Coachella Valley itself, although Westerink said flooding impacts are possible there as well.
The showers and storms are expected to end by late Saturday night with sunny skies and highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s expected through next Thursday, Oct. 2.
Any storms received in the Coachella Valley would add to what has already been a wet September. Westerink said Friday afternoon the weather service has measured 0.64 inches of rain at Palm Springs International Airport so far in September, more than double the 0.24 averaged there during the month.
Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development and business in the Coachella Valley. Email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Will it rain this weekend in Palm Springs area? See forecast for valley
Reporting by Paul Albani-Burgio, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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