Strongest Winds Expected Tuesday Night, Wednesday, In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Officials warned Tuesday that the ongoing Santa Ana windstorm could cause property damage, but the National Weather Service says the worst is yet to come.

The "strongest winds are still expected tonight into Wednesday," the agency said.

The wind will continue howling with gusts along and below coastal mountain slopes clocking 65 to 75 mph, with some wind-prone mountain locations seeing speeds exceeding 75 mph. Widespread gusts of 50 to 65 mph will continue below passes, the NWS reported.

Caltrans advises motorists to "stay vigilant while driving on mountain routes during the current Santa Ana wind event through Wed. at 1 p.m."

Southern California Edison continues to advise that Public Safety Power Shutoffs may be necessary to protect homes and communities.

SCE’s online interactive outage map at sce.com/outagemap shows PSPS events are "under consideration" for much of Southwest Riverside County and up through the San Gorgonio Pass Area.

If power is turned off, SCE said it will attempt to restore electricity to customers as fast as possible, "when it is safe to do so."

According to the utility, once the winds die down crews will inspect the lines to ensure nothing is damaged and determine whether it's safe to re-energize the area.

"This means customers could be without power even after winds have ended until inspections are completed in their communities. Where safely possible, power could be restored to customers temporarily if there are lulls in the weather. Further shutoffs may occur if winds return," the utility reported.

The wind has brought extreme fire weather. (Related article: Pacific Palisades Fire Forces Mandatory Evacuations)

"A particularly dangerous situation is expected" in the Inland Empire from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday "due to a period of widespread strong winds, very dry air, and critically dry fuels," the NWS reported.

"Overnight humidity recovery is expected to be poor tonight into Wednesday morning, ...," according to the agency.

Relative humidity values could plummet to 8% in the Inland Empire, the NWS reported.

"Dry air will be ... solidly in place by Thursday," according to the NWS.

Winds are expected to be less widespread late Wednesday afternoon, but 40 to 60 mph gusts are still possible.

Another peak in Santa Ana winds is expected for late Thursday afternoon into early Friday morning.

"Winds during that peak will be strongest on coastal mountain slopes, foothills, and below passes.
Peak gusts will be 40 to 60 mph, with the potential for gusts to reach 70 mph in the San Diego mountain foothills late Thursday night or early Friday morning," the NWS reported.

Critical fire weather conditions are expected through Friday.

Despite the fierce winds and dry conditions, snow fell in local mountains Monday night and is expected to do so again Tuesday night.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway's first inch of snow of the season was recorded Tuesday.

A landmark usually reached in November or December, this is the latest time that the first inch of snow has fallen at the Tramway since 2017.

The Tramway's "Snow Guessing Contest" also ended on Tuesday, with four winners out of 878 entries. Each person who predicted the correct date received four regular Tramway admission tickets (valid through the end of 2025) and a "special Tramway gift memento."

Residents can view the Tramway's "Long Valley Cam" at pstramway.com/long-valley-cam.