Hang On: Wind Advisory Issued For Parts Of Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA - Gusty winds are expected to develop later today in parts of Riverside County, including the Coachella Valley, and stick around into the weekend as a storm system moves through the region.

A National Weather Service wind advisory for the Coachella Valley, the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning and the Riverside County mountains is set to take effect at 5 p.m. today and extend until 3 a.m. Saturday. West to southwest
winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour will be possible throughout the advisory period, along with gusts that could reach 60 miles per hour in some areas.

The wind is expected to die down below advisory level Saturday.

Forecasters predicted winds of about 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the Coachella Valley and the mountains, and to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph along the San Gorgonio Pass as the weekend gets underway.

"A low pressure trough will move through California tonight. It will produce strong winds in the mountains and deserts this afternoon through Friday night,'' according to the weather service. "While winds decrease early Saturday, breezy conditions will continue through the weekend.''

Forecasters warned that blowing dust may reduce visibility to less than three miles in some desert areas, and strong winds may make for locally hazardous travel.

"Stay alert for strong cross winds and areas of blowing dust and sand if you have travel plans in the deserts,'' according to the weather service.

In addition to the wind, there's a slight chance of rain in the forecast in the mountains Friday night through the weekend. In the valleys around Riverside, overnight and morning drizzle may turn to showers Friday night into Sunday morning.

--City News Service/Morguefile image