Wind gusts near 50 mph prompt dust advisory for Coachella Valley through Sunday

Erin Rode, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·1 min read
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a windblown dust advisory for its entire jurisdiction through Sunday, due to high winds and dry conditions.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a windblown dust advisory for its entire jurisdiction through Sunday, due to high winds and dry conditions.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a windblown dust advisory through Sunday for its entire jurisdiction, which includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, including the Coachella Valley.

The dust advisory is in effect from noon Friday through noon Sunday due to high winds and dry conditions as the Santa Ana winds blow through Southern California. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for the Coachella Valley from 2 p.m. Friday until noon on Saturday, with forecasted winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 miles per hour expected.

Gusts reached 46 mph at Palm Springs International Airport on Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service reported. Desert Hot Springs had 45 mph winds around the same time. And Cabazon topped the list with gusts at 52 mph early Saturday.

The dry and windy conditions can lift dust into the air, causing poor air quality. Air quality categories could vary from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups, with the worst impacts expected on Saturday, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The most significant impacts are expected in the Coachella Valley and the valleys of the Inland Empire.

South Coast AQMD warns exposure to high particle pollution levels can cause health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of respiratory infections. Children, older adults and those with respiratory or heart disease should avoid prolonged exposure and strenuous activities with particle pollution levels are high.

In areas directly impacted by windblown dust, residents should limit exposure by staying inside with windows and doors closed, and avoid vigorous physical activity.

Erin Rode covers the environment for the Desert Sun. Reach her at erin.rode@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @RodeErin.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Dust advisory issued for Coachella Valley through Sunday