Strong Santa Ana winds will blow across the Inland Empire Friday, churning up dust and other hazards, especially throughout canyons and passes, according to the National Weather Service.
“Gusty north to northeast winds will develop early Friday morning, peak during the day and weaken Friday evening,” the NWS said in a statement. “Gusts of 35 to 45 mph are expected in and below the Cajon Pass, along and below the coastal slopes of the Santa Ana Mountains, and in northern and eastern portions of the Coachella Valley.”
A Wind Advisory is in effect from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. The Weather Service cautioned that “driving may be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”
It was unknown to what extent, if at all, the gusts might impact the first day of the final weekend of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.
Mostly calm conditions are in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
Meteorologists said clear weather will prevail through the weekend, followed by the possibility of scattered rain showers early next week as a system rolls in from the Gulf of Alaska.
High temperatures in the Riverside metropolitan area Friday will be in the upper 70s, with overnight temps in the low 50s. Saturday and Sunday, highs will peak in the low 80s, falling into the upper 40s at night.
In the Coachella Valley, the mercury will peak around 85 Friday, dropping to 60 overnight. Saturday and Sunday, temps will generally settle in the low 90s and bottom out in the low 60s.
For the Temecula Valley, the temperature band will largely track with the Riverside area’s range, according to the NWS.