Warm temperatures are predicted in Riverside County heading into next week, along with strong winds, which prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District to issue a windblown dust advisory Saturday in some areas of the county.
The advisory was in effect from 11 a.m. Saturday to at least 11 p.m. Sunday in the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Palm Desert Country, La Quinta, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs and Indio, where gusts of up to 50 mph were expected.
“Windblown dust is expected to cause Air Quality Index values to reach unhealthy for sensitive groups levels or higher between Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening,” the SCAQDM announced.
The National Weather Service advised the affected public to carpool, telecommute, reduce trips or take public transportation, slow down if driving on dirt roads and stabilize loose soils in order to minimize outdoor particle pollution levels.
Sunday temperatures were expected to reach 80 in the Riverside metropolitan area, 83 in Hemet and 101 in the Coachella Valley, according to the NWS.
Downtown Riverside was expected to remain in the 80s until Tuesday and reach the 90s on Wednesday. Hemet was expected to reach the 90s on Tuesday and remain in the 90s through the week. Triple-digit temperatures were expected in the Coachella Valley, reaching as high as 109 on Thursday, according to the NWS.