The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a windblown dust advisory set to go into effect Saturday for the Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass.
The advisory is set to go into effect from 1 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Tuesday. The impacted areas include Riverside, Banning, Cathedral City and Indio.
“Periods of elevated particle pollution levels in the Coachella Valley and parts of the Inland Empire are expected starting Saturday afternoon and lasting until Tuesday morning,” regulators said.
Air quality index levels to be very unhealthy or worse as a result of blowing dust, SCAQMD officials said. The highest levels were expected in the Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass Area.
The SCAQMD advised the public to limit their exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed and avoid vigorous physical activity.
“Run your air conditioning and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air,” the group advised.
The SCAQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. Air quality alerts can be found at aqmd.gov.