Winds Forecast To Howl Monday Night Across Pass Area, Desert

COACHELLA VALLEY/SAN GORGONIO PASS AREA, CA — Strong winds are expected to blow through the Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass Area starting Monday evening, prompting wind and dust advisories.

The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for mountain areas, pass areas and the desert beginning at 7 p.m. Monday through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The forecast calls for west winds, 25 to 35 mph, with gusts to 55 mph. Isolated gusts could reach 65 mph, according to the NWS.

"The strongest winds will be along the desert slopes of the mountains and adjacent desert areas, and in the northern Coachella Valley below the San Gorgonio Pass," according to the agency. "Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Visibility will be reduced in blowing sand and blowing dust in the deserts at times."

A dust advisory was also issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District across the San Gorgonio Pass Area and the Coachella Valley during the wind period.

"Areas of blowing dust and sand in desert areas are predicted throughout this wind event, which may result in Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or higher Air Quality Index (AQI) levels throughout the San Gorgonio Pass area near Banning and the Eastern Coachella Valley," the South Coast AQMD reported. "Localized areas of blowing ash are also possible in the San Bernardino Mountains near the 2020 wildfire burn scars."

In areas directly impacted by windblown dust, the South Coast AQMD advises that residents limit their exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed. Vigorous outdoor physical activity is not advised during the event, according to the agency.