Wet, Windy Weather to Start the Workweek

Rain and gusty winds are expected to lash across Riverside County beginning early Tuesday morning as a cold low-pressure system from the Gulf of Alaska arrives, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm will begin with light rain and intensify Tuesday afternoon and evening, forecasts predict. The Inland Empire can expect around a half inch of rain, gusty winds and possibly thunderstorms. Winds could range from 15 mph to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph.

Calmer conditions are expected to return on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service forecast:

Monday night: Rain, mainly after 4 a.m. Patchy fog after 10 p.m. Low around 41. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Tuesday: Rain before 10 a.m, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. High near 52. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Tuesday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Low around 34. West wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly before 10 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Thursday night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.