IDYLLWILD - Tire chains will be required for travel today in the Idyllwild area, two days after a winter storm brought snow to the San Jacinto Mountains.

Vehicles under 6,000 pounds traveling on state Route 243 are required to use chains from Lake Fulmor to state Route 74 in Mountain Center, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Motorists with snow tires do not need to put on chains, according to the CHP.

A storm from the Pacific Ocean is expected to arrive in Riverside County Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow is expected at the higher elevations of 7,000 feet, but the communities of Idyllwild and Pine Cove could get some mixed rain and snow, the NWS reported.

IDYLLWILD - Forest rangers are cautioning Riverside County residents to be careful in the San Jacinto and San Bernardino mountains which which have been hit with plenty of snow and rain.

The single most important thing visitors to the mountainous winter wonderland can do is "Know before you go" according to U.S. Forest Service spokesman John Miller. He advises visitors to call ahead to check on the current conditions before heading out.

Roughly one-third of the 676,666-acre San Bernardino National Forest stretches across Riverside County.

Visitors should be prepared for hazardous road conditions, including slick and snow-covered roads, by carrying tire chains, he said.

They should also dress warmly and carry extra food and water in case of delays or trouble, he said.

"While in the mountains, be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for a sudden change in conditions because weather can change rapidly and unexpectedly,'' he said.

Visitors can take advantage of a variety of activities in the mountains, including hiking, birding, snow play and sledding, but they should always be aware of their surroundings and choose safe places for their activities, he

said.

Should they choose to toboggan or sled, they should make sure they are far enough away from large rocks, trees and cliffs, he said.

Finally, forest rangers ask that visitors purchase and display the required Forest Adventure Pass on their parked vehicles at all times. A list of designated fee sites and parking areas is online at

www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/.

The California Department of Transportation provides current road condition information to those who call (800) 427-7623, he said.

Road closures are posted online at www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin , and general information about the forest is online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino.

PALM SPRINGS - A potent winter-like storm dumped snow on the mountains above the Coachella Valley today and Advertisement

Tenkobushi brought rain to low-lying areas, prompting the closure of at least one roadway.

About two inches of snow fell near Mount San Jacinto by late this afternoon, according to Lena Zimmerschied with the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. "It's been snowing ... continuously all day,'' Zimmerschied said. "Hopefully, we'll get up to about a foot.''

The snow level was forecast to range between 5,500 and 6,000 feet, with 8 to 10 inches of snow expected, according to the National Weather Service.

The tramway was open, but Zimmerschied warned residents wanting to play in the snow to dress warmly, as temperatures were in the 20s.

About 0.84 of an inch of rain had fallen as of 4:30 p.m. at Palm Springs International Airport, which is below the tramway, said Stan Wasowski of the National Weather Service.

The rain began coming down around 8:30 a.m. in Palm Springs and other areas of the Coachella Valley.

The showers were expected to taper off later in the evening.

Since January, Palm Springs has received 1.14 inches of rain, far below the 4.68-inch average, according to the weather service.

The California Highway Patrol encouraged motorists to be wary of slick roads through the Coachella Valley.

"It's very, very wet and slippery,'' said CHP Officer Ramon Perez.

He said the CHP has not tracked how many crashes there have been in the area today, but there was an increase because of the rain.

"Today the numbers are significantly higher than they were for last Monday, when it was not raining,'' Perez said. "The majority of the traffic

collisions we get during these times are solo vehicle spin outs and those are usually due to excessive speed in the rain.''

Cathedral Canyon Drive at the Whitewater Wash in Cathedral City was shut down because of flooding, said Lynn Mallotto, a city spokeswoman.

Public works crews put up barricades because of excessive water at:

-- Date Palm Drive south of Vista Chino at Los Gatos;

-- westbound Vista Chino from Date Palm Drive to the Whitewater Wash;

-- northbound Landau Boulevard from Ramon Road to Vista Chino;

-- westbound Ramon Road; and

-- Gerald Ford Drive.

Mallotto encouraged residents to allow extra time during their travels this afternoon.

The NWS issued a high wind warning from 3 p.m. to midnight in the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley. The storm will move out of the area Tuesday, but more rainfall could arrive Thursday or Friday, according to the weather

service.