Santa Ana Winds Cause Headaches In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Tree-bending Santa Ana winds whipped the Inland Empire Wednesday, creating road hazards and perils for aircraft trying to land at Riverside Municipal Airport.

The northeasterly gusts began in the predawn hours and intensified through the day, snapping tree limbs, hurling objects onto streets and freeways, as well as causing problems for high-profile vehicles.

"Santa Ana winds are blowing the strongest below the Cajon Pass and below the San Bernardino Mountains, where peak gusts have been 50-70 mph along the slopes, and 30-50 mph across the Inland Empire," according to a National Weather Service statement.

A high wind warning is in effect until noon Thursday across western Riverside County, according to the NWS. Winds were expected to calm Thursday in the Coachella Valley, which has been under a wind advisory.

"Winds may blow down trees and power lines, especially near the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains," the agency reported.

A large pine tree was toppled by winds on the Cal Baptist University campus in Riverside, falling onto a two-story dormitory, damaging the building but not injuring the occupants.

On the Riverside (91) Freeway in west Riverside, a chain was blown from a truck Wednesday morning, landing in lanes and temporarily causing a blockage, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The agency said that on the westbound Pomona (60) Freeway at Country Village Road in Jurupa Valley, a hay bale was blown into lanes, forcing drivers to go around it. Also on the 60 in Moreno Valley, a chair was hurled onto the freeway, disrupting traffic, the CHP said.

The agency posted travel advisories on all Inland Empire freeways and highways, warning truckers and other operators of high-profile vehicles to be cautious amid the howling winds.

At Pecan Place in Moreno Valley, utility lines were dislodged and fell onto the street, where Riverside County Fire Department crews were sent to secure it. However, no significant power outages were reported in the county by SoCal Edison.

At Riverside Municipal Airport, controllers issued wind shear alerts for all incoming and outgoing flights, with gusts between 30 and 40 mph at the surface of the airfield.

"North to northeasterly Santa Ana winds will strengthen and become more widespread ... with the winds continuing into Thursday morning," the NWS stated. "The strongest winds are expected for today into this evening."

According to meteorologists, peak gusts could top out at 70 mph in some locations.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a dust advisory through Thursday morning for portions of Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino counties.

The AQMD said the high winds may lead to air quality conditions that are unhealthy for sensitive groups. The most impacted areas will be parts of the Inland Empire, the Coachella Valley and eastern Riverside County, along with Orange County, the AQMD said.

A ridge of high pressure settling over the northern tier of the Great Basin in Nevada and Utah is the engine behind the Santa Anas. The high will roll eastward, giving way to lower pressure Thursday, according to forecasters.

The Weather Service said another round of Santa Anas is in the forecast for Friday, and they could be "somewhat stronger and more easterly ... with the strongest winds Friday morning."

According to the agency, high temperatures in the Riverside metropolitan area will be in the low 60s through Thursday, with peak temps in the low 70s over the weekend. Lows will generally be in the low 40s.

In the Coachella Valley, highs will hover in the mid to upper 60s for the rest of the week, with lows around 45, and in the Temecula Valley, the highs will closely align with the Riverside area, with lows in the upper 30s.