The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Riverside County mountains, which includes the Idyllwild and Pine Cove areas and north. The Advisory will remain in effect from 10 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18 until 6 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 21.

The previously announced Winter Weather Advisory is no longer in effect.

The NWD is forecasting moderate snow Thursday, Jan. 19, in the higher mountains and heavy snow Friday, Jan. 20 in the mountains.

The two storms will move through Southern California Thursday into Saturday, Jan. 21. The first storm will arrive late tonight and bring moderate to locally heavy snow tonight and Thursday. The second storm will arrive Friday and bring areas of heavy snow through Friday night.

The snow level will mostly be between 5000 and 5500 feet. Snowfall amounts will be highly variable but some locations could receive over 6 inches of snow Thursday and over one foot of snow Friday.

A third storm will bring rain Sunday, Jan. 22, then turn to snow Sunday night through Monday. Strong gusty winds will occur at times as well along with dense fog.

* snow levels —mostly between 5000 and 5500 feet... but locally lower on the north slopes.
* timing — moderate snow tonight and Thursday with heavy snow Friday and Friday night.
* snow accumulations — 4 to 8 inches above 6000 feet tonight and Thursday with 8 to 16 inches Friday through the night. A few inches could fall as low as 5000 feet.
* winds — southwest to west winds 20 to 35 mph with local gusts over 50 mph Thursday. Winds 25 to 45 mph with local gusts over 65 mph Friday day and night.
* visibility — near zero at times in snow... blowing snow and fog.
* impacts —travel will be dangerous at times over the mountains due to snowfall and low visibility.
* outlook — a warmer storm will bring more rain than snow Sunday...but will turn to snow Sunday night and Monday.