Heavy rain drenched the Coachella Valley Saturday and into early Sunday as remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel moved through the area.
The system, which was downgraded from a tropical storm to a post-tropical
cyclone just shortly moving inland from Baja California to Southern California, dropped more than an inch of rain in several desert communities.
In the 24 hours ending at 7 a.m. Sunday,Desert Hot Springs recorded 1.41 inches, while Indio received 1.8 inches, according to the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.
Meanwhile, Palm Springs saw 1.15 inches of rain over the past 24 hours; Thermal recorded 1.71 inches; Cathedral City saw 0.24 inches; and Coachella saw 0.08 inches, according to NWS data.
While NWS forecasters say the heaviest rain from the storm has passed, other impacts are expected to linger.
Overnight Saturday, the area saw thunderstorms with rainfall rates exceeding 0.50 inches of rain, increasing the risk of urban and flash flooding.
A flood watch remains in effectfor the Coachella Valley through Sunday evening. A flood watch is issued “when conditions are favorable for flooding,” according to NWS.
“It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible,” NWS says.
Additionally, a flash flood warning is in place for the area through 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
In addition to flood warnings, a wind advisory is in effect for the Coachella Valley through 5 a.m. Monday. Gusty winds are forecasted to hit the area, with winds across the deserts, mountain slopes and passes, with gusts ranging from 30 to 50 mph.
The Coachella Valley is expected to see lighter, scattered rain Sunday, with showers being more isolated.
Heading into Monday, the area is forecasted to see light amounts of rain from a follow-up weather system that may bring less than 0.05 inches of rain. The area should see cooler temperatures early next week before warming later in the week as conditions become drier. Starting Tuesday, highs will start climbing, reaching the 80s or higher by late week.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Rachel drenches Coachella Valley, flooding risks remain
