By Reginald Stanley. Posted January 31, 2021, 11:02 PM.

A low pressure system, with moisture fueled by an atmospheric river, brought rain and mountain snow to the region late Thursday and Friday.

The initial storm front brought heavy precipitation beginning Thursday night, with the brunt of the heavy rain falling early Friday morning. Widespread showers behind the front continued to wet the region throughout the day on Friday, before departing Friday evening. Snow levels fell down to 4,000 feet above sea level in most areas. Storm predictions initially called for storm totals of between 1.5 and 2 inches for the inland valleys, however most of the inland region received between 0.7 and 1.5 inches instead. Precipitation totals through the end of Friday were as high as 1.64 inches reported in East Highland (courtesy of Peter Michas) to a mere 0.78 inches recorded in San Jacinto. In the WeatherCurrents network, Simi Valley recorded the highest total with 1.48 inches. A significant difference in rainfall was noted between two stations not far from each other to the east, with Hemet receiving 1.39 inches as opposed to neighboring San Jacinto's 0.78 inches - a difference of 0.61 inches over a distance of less than five miles. Perris tied Hemet's total of 1.39 inches. WeatherCurrents' stations in Beaumont (Cherry Valley), Moreno Valley, De Luz, Fallbrook, and Pinon Hills all managed to exceed one inch of rainfall. In Yucaipa, a total of 1.05 inches was reported (courtesy of Don Kramer).

The Temecula Valley was somewhat drier, with most locations in and around the valley receiving less than one inch of rainfall - with the exception of WeatherCurrents' station in northwestern Murrieta, having recorded exactly one inch of rainfall. Just east of Temecula in the Wine Country region, a total of 0.97 inches was reported (courtesy of Jim Sappington). In nearby Temecula proper, a similar total of 0.96 inches was observed in the southern part of the city. French Valley received 0.91 inches. In Riverside (Orangecrest) to the north, 0.89 inches was recorded, being generally drier than nearby Moreno Valley and Perris. San Jacinto recorded the lowest storm total Friday, with only 0.78 inches.

Showers had cleared out of the region as low pressure exited the region to the east late Friday. Fresh snow was clearly visible on the mountains Saturday, while fair skies allowed for panoramic views. Dry, slightly warmer weather affected the region Sunday as weak high pressure built over the Southwest. A cold trough is forecast to bring showers to the region once more on Wednesday, although recent computer forecast model runs suggest that storm totals are not likely to be significant.

Here are the rain totals for the WeatherCurrents network and associates: