By Reginald Stanley. Posted February 13, 2019, 10:13 AM.

A strong atmospheric river event will impact Southern California tonight and Thursday, resulting in potential heavy rainfall overnight.

A trough will direct tropical moisture directly into the region later today, prompting the National Weather Service to issue Flash Flood Watches and High Wind Warnings for the Inland Empire and mountains, respectively. Total rainfall is expected to accumulate to between 2 and 3 inches by the end of Thursday across the valleys, and locally higher amounts in the foothills and mountains. Strong winds may also occur Thursday. The storm is yet another addition to a wet 2019 so far across Southern California, drenching an already soggy region. Showers are expected to continue well into next week, although not as heavy or persistent. Snow levels will start rather high around 7,500 feet above sea level, before gradually lowering from Friday onward. The region will finally begin drying out Tuesday as the responsible low pressure trough moves inland.