High Wind Warning for Coachella Valley

A low pressure system out of the Gulf of Alaska brought strong winds, much cooler temperatures and the threat of rain to Riverside County Friday.

The National Weather Service forecast daytime highs today in the 50s and lower 60s at lower elevations, and in the 30s and 40s in the mountains -- 25 to 35 degrees cooler than highs recorded in the region earlier this week.

Rainfall totals from the system today were expected to be a tenth- to a quarter-inch closer to the coast, while around a half-inch was expected in the mountains. Less than a tenth of an inch will fall in the Coachella Valley, forecasters said.

According to the weather service, residents and visitors in the Coachella Valley and mountain areas today can expect sustained west winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, gusting up to 65 mph over the ridges and through wind- prone passes.

A high wind warning for the mountains and Coachella Valley is set to expire at noon, at which time a less-serious wind advisory will take effect. The weather service scheduled the wind advisory from noon to 3 a.m. Saturday.

Mountain areas above 4,500 feet also are subject to a winter weather advisory from 6 p.m. to noon Saturday. During that time, two to four inches of snow is possible above 4,500 feet and four to eight inches possible on the higher peaks, according to the weather service.