Dust, Heat Advisory Lingers In Palm Desert, Coachella Valley

PALM DESERT, CA — A dust advisory will be in effect until noon Tuesday for parts of Riverside County, mostly in the Coachella Valley. An Excessive Heat warning is also in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service. Temperatures could reach 118 degrees, which may —once again— affect flights at the Palm Springs International Airport.

The advisory went into effect at 6 p.m. Sunday due to high winds, with speeds reaching 14 mph, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Air quality may impact Palm Desert. Air quality was impacted in Mecca and Palm Springs, which reached unhealthy and very unhealthy levels from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, SCAQMD officials said. Air quality impact levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups are expected to affect the area until Tuesday.

"In areas directly impacted by high levels of windblown dust, limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed and avoiding vigorous physical activity," according to an SCAQMD statement.

"Run your air conditioner or air purifier if available and avoid using whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air."

More information about air quality in the area can be found at www.aqmd.gov.

Excessive Heat is also problematic for the valley, according to the National Weather Service. Dangerously hot conditions continue Tuesday with temperatures between 112 and 118 degrees in some areas,.

The Coachella Valley, Indio, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Borrego Springs will be under an excessive heat warning from noon Tuesday until 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The NWS warns that extreme heat can increase the potential for heat- related illnesses.
Triple digit temperatures are in the forecast for Riverside County and it will remain hot all week, according to the NWS.

Temperatures in Riverside County valleys will potentially reach 106 degrees by Tuesday and in the mountains at elevations below 5,000 feet up to 100.

The National Weather Service's Monday forecast calls for highs of up to 114 degrees in the Coachella Valley, up to 104 degrees in the Inland Empire and up to 100 degrees in the Riverside County mountains.

Lightning strikes were reported in the Riverside County deserts Sunday morning.

"[10 AM Radar]: Showers and isolated t-storms continue to move northwestward this morning. Lightning strikes have been reported in the deserts in San Diego County and Riverside County in the past few hours, so please use caution and remember if thunder roars, go indoors," the National Weather Service's San Diego office shared over social media.

Forecasters said the sweltering conditions will likely linger through next weekend as well.