By Reginald Stanley. Posted February 21, 2022, 11:40 PM.

A cold, windy storm affecting the region on Tuesday and Wednesday this week has the potential to bring low snow levels to the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Patchy drizzle was already reported in parts of the inland valleys Monday evening, however it was mostly not measurable. Rain chances increase for Tuesday, with a high chance of instability Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning as the trough passes over the region. Snow levels will start out between 3500 and 4000 feet on Tuesday. Windy conditions are expected to increase over this period, while thunderstorms and plummeting temperatures are anticipated Tuesday night. Snow levels may potentially fall to between 2000 and 2500 feet above sea level Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, making snow very likely at WeatherCurrents' stations in Anza and Pinon Hills (both above 3000 feet in elevation). In the valleys, temperatures are forecast to drop to the 30s Tuesday night, despite the possible thunderstorm activity. These conditions are predicted to persist into Wednesday morning, before the storm departs the region later in the day. Freezing or near-freezing temperatures are likely across the inland valleys Thursday morning.

Storm totals by Wednesday's end predict between 0.3 and 0.4 inches for the Riverside County valleys, up to 1/4 inch in Riverside and San Bernardino, and lighter amounts (under 0.2 inch) in much of Los Angeles County and northwards. San Diego County is projected to be wetter, where up to 3/4 inches is possible west of the mountains. Locally higher amounts are possible, particularly as instability increases Tuesday evening. Foothill and mountain locations will see the wettest totals. Low snow levels will impact travel across mountain highways and passes; including I-15 through the Cajon Pass; I-10 in the San Gorgonio Pass between Calimesa, Beaumont and Banning; I-8 in the San Diego County mountains and I-5 near Grapevine. Other mountain highways may also be subject to temporary closure. High snow accumulations are expected above 6000 feet.