Brace Yourselves for Nearby Strong Winds, Palm Desert!

By City News Service:

Gusty Santa Ana winds were blowing Friday in the valleys around Riverside, along the San Gorgonio Pass and in the northern reaches of the Coachella Valley, including Desert Hot Springs, and could possibly increase the risk for wildfires.

In a 12-hour period ending at 7 a.m., unofficial gauges in the Coachella Valley recorded winds of 46 miles per hour at the Palm Springs Airport, 39 mph at Cathedral Canyon, 37 mph in Thousand Palms and 33 mph in Palm Desert.

Winds of 43 mph were noted at the Corona Airport and in Home Gardens, along with 39 mph winds in Temescal and Perris, according to the National Weather Service. At the Riverside Airport, 33 mph winds were recorded and 32 mph winds were recorded in Sky Valley along the San Gorgonio Pass.

A wind advisory is scheduled to remain in effect until 5 p.m. around Riverside and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning. Winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour were forecast for the advisory period, along with gusts of up to 50 mph. The advisory does not extend to the Coachella Valley, even though some communities there, including Desert Hot Springs and Blythe, are expected to experience strong winds.

“Increasing northerly mid-level winds and strengthening offshore pressure gradients will create gusty north to northeast winds along the ridges of the San Bernardino Mountains, and through and below the canyons and passes in the Inland Empire, portions of Orange County and the far northern parts of the Coachella Valley,” according to a weather service statement.

Forecasters said the wind may lead to hazardous travel conditions and reduced visibility due to blowing dust along portions of state Route 62. Minor damage to small trees and unsecured outdoor objects may also be possible.

The dry, windy conditions are also expected to create a brief period of critical fire weather late this morning into the afternoon, according to the NWS.

Forecasters said the winds would gradually weaken Friday afternoon.