By Reginald Stanley. Posted December 13, 2022, 5:43 AM.

A cold winter storm descended onto the region over the weekend, with the majority of the rain and mountain snow falling on Sunday and Monday. Many inland valley locations recorded high temperatures in the upper 40s and low 50s Monday.

Initial bands of rainfall began hitting more northerly locations such as Simi Valley late Saturday evening, while most of the rest of the WeatherCurrents network did not start receiving precipitation until after midnight Sunday. During most of the rainy hours Sunday and early Monday, temperatures hovered well below normal across the region, keeping snow levels between 3000 and 4000 feet above sea level. As even colder air descended upon the region overnight Sunday and early Monday morning, rain was falling in some inland valley locations while temperatures were roughly 39-40 degrees. WeatherCurrents' stations in Anza and Pinon Hills, both sitting at high elevations, likely received snow during the storm and therefore current precipitation totals there are inaccurate until the snow melts.

Storm totals were divided into two camps - the wetter Temecula Valley and vicinity, as well as Simi Valley to the northwest; and the drier eastern valleys which appeared to be affected by a rare but significant rain shadow covering areas east and south of Riverside. For the wetter communities, Simi Valley was the wettest location with 1.56 inches recorded there. Temecula Valley's Wine Country placed second with a total of 1.55 inches (courtesy of Jim Sappington). In East Highland, a total of 1.20 inches was reported (courtesy of Peter Michas). Temecula, Murrieta, French Valley, Lake Elsinore and Fallbrook all recorded similar totals above one inch by Tuesday morning. Eastern Valley communities were sharply drier, with totals falling between 1/2 and 1 inch. A total of 0.78 inches was reported in Yucaipa (courtesy of Don Kramer). Totals for Hemet and San Jacinto were even lower at 0.70 and 0.65 inches respectively, while Perris recorded a relatively meager 0.53 inches. Totals for Anza and Pinon Hills are not believed to be accurate at this time due to snowfall at those locations.

A minor chance of lingering showers remains for some portions of San Diego County and nearby areas Tuesday morning, as a large cold pressure system over Utah continues moving eastward. Dry weather with below average temperatures is forecast to dominate the remainder of the week, with onshore low predicted early next week.

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

1. Pinon Hills and Anza storm totals likely less than actual value due to snow at those locations.