Weekend Rain on the Way: Coachella Valley Braces for Saturday Showers

Overcast skies are hovering over Southern California, and rain is finally on the way. While the Coachella Valley has only seen a few sprinkles so far, meteorologists say heavier rainfall is expected to arrive Saturday morning and continue into the afternoon.

The heaviest precipitation is currently to the west, where parts of the Inland Empire and Los Angeles County are experiencing moderate to heavy showers. The low-pressure system responsible for the rain remains centered offshore but continues to pull in moisture from the Pacific, setting up a wetter pattern for much of the southwest.

In the Coachella Valley, the best chance for widespread rainfall comes Saturday, with showers expected to begin early in the morning and intensify by midday. The latest forecast models show rainfall totals of up to four-tenths of an inch across the valley and as much as an inch near the San Gorgonio Pass.

A flood watch is in effect through Saturday evening for much of Southern California, including the Coachella Valley. Drivers are urged to use caution on slick roads and avoid flooded areas.

By Sunday, the system will move east, bringing clearer skies and cooler temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s. Another pair of weaker storm systems are expected to pass through Southern California early next week, with light rain possible Monday night into Tuesday and again on Thursday.

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