(Stormy weather)….It came early.

The National Weather Service said rain in the deserts and snow in the mountains could be expected by mid-morning Thursday. Motorists were surprised when thunderstorms began near Brawley at around 6:00 am. By 7:00 am several communities were reporting steady rainfall. Snow was reported in the mountains at just before 8:00 am. By 8:30 the California Highway Patrol reported Interstate 8 had been completely closed, both east and west bound lanes. The closure was due to snow and rain. The Highway Patrol said multiple vehicles stuck in the snow, and plows were called in. The National Weather Service said a Flash Flood Watch was in effect at 7:00 am for Imperial and Riverside Counties. They also said the rain and snow was expected to continue on into Thursday night, possibly continuing until Friday Morning. The Weather Service says the skies should clear by mid-morning Friday into the weekend.