Heavy Rain — Riverside, California

2003-02-25 to 2003-02-27 · near Temecula, Riverside, California

Wider weather episode

Twelve to eighteen inches of snow fell in the San Bernardino Mountains above 7000 feet. In the San Jacinto Mountains of Riverside County, 11 to 20 inches fell between 5600 feet and the ridgetop. In the Laguna Mountains of San Diego County, 8 to 13 inches of snow fell. Interstate 15 was closed for several hours due to heavy snowfall in the Cajon Pass. Snow fell as low as 3200 feet. Accumulations over 6 inches were reported around 4000 feet. The heavy snow caused tree branches to break and fall onto power lines. Urban and small stream flooding was reported in Apple Valley where one inch of rain fell. West of the mountains, 1 to 4 inches of rain fell. Low lying areas in San Bernardino flooded. Two homes were flooded in Glen Avon, and many roads between Moreno Valley and Pernis were flooded. Canyon Lake overflowed it's spillways. Rapid water rises were reported in the south and east portions of Irvine. Street flooding was reported along the coast between Oceanside and Mission Beach. Further inland, one man drowned while wading a swollen creek near Rainbow. Flooding of low lying areas and roads was observed from Fallbrook to Spring Valley.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5340540. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.