Santa Ana winds will return to the inland region Tuesday and again later this week, producing gusts up to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency issued a Wind Advisory from 4 p.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Wednesday in anticipation of the event, covering all of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
“Winds will begin to increase in the … Inland Empire Tuesday afternoon, then spread south Tuesday night,” the NWS said. “Winds will peak in strength early Wednesday morning, then diminish Wednesday afternoon and evening.”
Forecasters said wind speeds will average 15-20 mph out of the northeast, with peak gusts as high as 50.
A ridge of high pressure settling over the Great Basin in Nevada and Utah will be the engine behind the offshore wind event.
The high will give way to an upper level trough of low pressure, but that will be displaced by another high that builds in over the Great Basin on Thursday, according to meteorologists.
“This will bring another round of Santa Anas on Friday, though these winds look to be more easterly,” according to the NWS. “Winds will mostly be confined to the Riverside and San Diego County mountains and foothills, with gusts 30 to 40 mph expected.”
Calmer conditions are forecast through the weekend.
Last Friday and Saturday, a Santa Ana windstorm lashed the Inland Empire, churning up dust clouds, causing roadway obstructions and other hazards.
According to the NWS, high temperatures in the Riverside metropolitan area will be in the low to mid 70s for the rest of the week, with lows in the mid 40s. In the Coachella Valley, highs will generally hover in the low 70s, with lows around 50, and in the Temecula Valley, the highs will also peak in the low 70s, with lows in the mid 40s.