Winter Storm Expected to Bring Wet Christmas Eve to Coachella Valley

Update: In Anticipation of the stormy weather, the city of Palm Springs is letting residents know about sanbag pickups avaible at all five fire stations. Sand is avaible at pickup as well.

They also wanted to remind residents of the City's Emergency Alert System.

The holiday travel season is in full swing, with Palm Springs International Airport expecting more than 55,000 passengers through its terminals between Saturday and this Sunday. Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday are expected to be the airport's busiest days, each averaging around 6,800 passengers. If you're flying out Tuesday or have plans for Christmas Eve, build in extra time and monitor conditions.

But travelers heading out mid-week may want to keep an eye on the sky—a winter storm is set to arrive just in time for Christmas Eve.

Forecasters are calling this potentially the stormiest Christmas Southern California has seen in recent memory. While the heaviest rain is expected to fall west of the valley and in the mountains, the Coachella Valley won't escape the system entirely.

Here's the timeline: Conditions deteriorate on Tuesday in the Inland Empire to the west. Rain moves into the desert overnight Tuesday night and is expected to continue through Wednesday. Thunderstorms are also possible in the valley, which can bring the kind of intense rainfall rates that lead to problems.

Current estimates put accumulation at up to several tenths of an inch in the valley, though some models suggest more. A flood watch is in effect for the Coachella Valley, the Inland Empire, and much of Southern California. Mountain runoff adds to the concern, with street flooding possible in low-lying areas.

Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday are expected to be the airport's busiest days, each averaging around 6,800 passengers. If you're flying out Tuesday or have plans for Christmas Eve, build in extra time and monitor conditions.