Dust Advisory In Lake Elsinore As City Wakes To Santa Ana Winds

LAKE ELSINORE, CA —Lake Elsinore and Wildomar woke to a hazy morning sky and gusting winds Friday, causing air quality to plummet in our area.

Santa Ana winds in the area are to blame, expected to remain throughout the day and into the weekend, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

A Windblown Dust Advisory was in place for much of the day Friday and possibly into Saturday, making the air quality across the Inland Empire unhealthy for sensitive groups. Strong Santa Ana winds howling through the area overnight are to blame as they kick up loose dirt and soil across the area's valleys and mountain passes.

Corona, Riverside, Perris, Lake Elsinore, Temecula Valley, Anza Valley, Hemet-San Jacinto Valley and the San Gorgonio Pass Area would all be affected in this dust storm, as would the Palm Desert region, they say. San Bernardino County valley areas are also affected by the dust storm.

Northeast winds will blow from 20 to 30 miles per hour all day, with gusts of up to 55 miles per hour expected. The strongest winds were expected to taper off after 10 p.m. according to the National Weather Service.

During the extreme wind event, tree limbs could fall, and unsecured objects could blow away. Power outages in the area were also possible. Drivers should use caution, especially if driving high-profile vehicles.

Air quality was expected to remain unhealthy into Saturday but could vary hour to hour, depending on wind conditions, authorities said.

"People with heart or lung diseases should follow their doctor's advice for dealing with episodes of unhealthy air quality," they said.