The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a windblown dust advisory Sunday for the northwestern area of the Coachella Valley.
The advisory was effective from 4 p.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Monday due to expected wind gusts of up to 48 mph, which can lift dust and soil into the air resulting in high particle pollution levels, according to the SCAQMD.
Affected cities include Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indio, La Quinta and Mecca.
On Saturday, gusts up to 66 mph were measured in the northwestern Coachella Valley and the air quality index reached a hazardous category due to high particle pollution, according to the agency.
The air quality index was expected to reach the “very unhealthy” category or higher between Sunday evening to Monday morning.
Winds were expected to slow down before noon on Monday, improving air quality.
Current air quality conditions by region are available at aqmd.gov/AQImap.