California and the Southwest Brace for Gusty Thunderstorms and Snow

Two separate storm systems are gearing up to strike California and the Southwest through the weekend. In addition to heavy rain for the lower elevations and snow for the mountains, the storms will also usher in cooler temperatures. Here is an updated look at the timing and expected impacts of this duo of weather makers.

Storm Duo to Usher in Heavy Rain and Snow to California and Beyond

A pair of storms will snarl travel and disrupt outdoor activities at times this weekend across California and the Desert Southwest. Depending on the elevation, the storms will pack torrential rain, gusty storms, and measurable snow totals.

The first storm is forecast to make its way into California on Friday. The system will push inland at a fast clip, reaching the interior portions of the West by the weekend. The bulk of the moisture associated with this initial storm event will fall across the lower terrain of California as rain showers. Warmer temperatures coming along with the storm will translate to snow for the highest elevations of the northern Sierra Nevada and the Siskiyou Mountains.

Los Angeles could see rain by Friday afternoon. The moisture will likely hold off until the evening hours for San Diego. Officials at NASA will be closely watching the timing of the arrival of the rain near San Diego as the Artemis II mission prepares for splashdown off the coast of Southern California.

Areas to the north, including San Francisco, are forecast to see the rain come at any time during the day on Friday. The metro area is forecast to see a greater chance of rain in the overnight hours. Saturday's forecast is calling for rain showers in the morning hours, evolving into a soaking rain event in the afternoon. The metro area will see a quarter of an inch of rain during the day with another quarter of an inch tacked on overnight. Winds will be a major nuisance on Saturday, clocking in at 20 to 30 mph from the south.

Moving farther inland, spotty gusty storms packing small hail could impact the Central Valley of California throughout the day and night on Friday. Attendees at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, will likely be in the clear on Friday. However, Saturday could be a different story. Indio is forecast to see the threat of rain and an errant thunderstorm on the second day of the three-day event.

Locally heavy rain generated in some of the thunderstorm cells could lead to ponding on the roadways and sporadic mudslides. Although these two storms will not rival the power seen by last winter's atmospheric rivers, there will still be enough moisture to create headaches on the roads.