Flood watch for Palm Springs set for Wednesday; winter storm warning for Idyllwild – Desert Sun

A flood watch will be in effect from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon for parts of Southern California, including the Coachella Valley, Apple and Lucerne valleys and San Diego County deserts, the National Weather Service reported.
Specific areas included under the watch are Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Indio, Coachella, La Quinta, Victorville, Lucerne Valley, Borrego Springs, Apple Valley and Hesperia. 
A winter storm will bring periods of rain to the deserts starting on Wednesday, the weather service said, including an expected 0.25 to 0.75 inches of rain an hour. 
Excessive runoff could lead to flooded rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying areas, the agency warned. Flooding could also occur in poor drainage and urban locations. 
Residents should monitor forecasts and watch for possible flood warnings. Those in flood-prone areas should be prepared to “take action” if flooding occurs, the weather service said. 
A winter storm warning will also be in effect, starting 1 a.m. Wednesday and lasting until 4 a.m. Friday, for mountainous areas above 5,000 feet in San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties, including the cities of Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Running Springs, Wrightwood and Idyllwild-Pine Cove. 
Heavy snow is expected during that time, the agency said, and travel will be “very difficult to impossible.”
A total of 6 to 12 inches of snow, with amounts up to 56 inches in certain areas above 8,000 feet, is possible. If residents have to travel, they should keep an extra flashlight, food and water in their car, the weather service said. 
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