Dust Advisory, Air Quality Alert In Palm Desert, Coachella Valley

PALM DESERT, CA — A windblown dust advisory went into effect Monday and would last through Wednesday, across the Coachella Valley, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The advisory was effective from 1 p.m. Sunday to noon Wednesday due to gusty winds elevating the air quality index to hazardous in some areas, the agency said.

The advisory affects areas such as Banning, Mecca, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, and Indio, where gusts up to 60 mph were expected.

"Limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed or seeking alternate shelter," the SCAQMD advised.

The public was also advised to avoid vigorous physical activity and run air conditioning and/or an air purifier.

Air quality can vary by hour. Current air quality information can be found at www.aqmd.gov/AQImap.

The National Weather Forecast showed this week's weather as follows:

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Monday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday
Areas of blowing dust after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tuesday Night
Areas of blowing dust before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 48. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 78.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 54.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 82.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 82.