Palm Desert's Blustery Sunny Weather Sticks Around

PALM DESERT, CA — Winds that blustered through Palm Desert were expected to weaken and become more localized Tuesday as the offshore Santa Ana pattern persists through the week, the National Weather Service predicts.

High pressure remained locked in across the West Coast, and meteorologists expect wind-prone areas to continue to experience high, gusty winds.

"Gusty Santa Ana winds will become more localized in the passes and coastal [slopes] as the week wears on," said the NWS. "Temperatures will continue to warm into Wednesday. High temperatures of 5 to 15 degrees above average are expected from Wednesday into this weekend with continued dry and mostly sunny weather."

"Winds will generally be 35-50 MPH in the windy spots, closer to 25- 35 MPH elsewhere," according to the NWS.

The latest predictions indicate warmer temperatures will peak around Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach 77 degrees. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are expected to be the warmest days, with highs in the low 80s across the county.

The National Weather Service discussed the ongoing Santa Ana winds and the effects of recent rainfall on wildfire risk during typical wind events.

"While these warm, dry and windy conditions will boost fire potential, relatively high vegetation moisture ... will mitigate that threat," forecasters said.

According to the NWS forecast discussion, there should be greater inland cooling by the middle of next week, with at least some chance for precipitation returning during the middle or latter portion of next week. The chance of measurable precipitation from the coast to the mountains gradually increases from 5 percent on Tuesday to 15 percent on Wednesday and 25 percent on Thursday.

By next weekend, temperatures were expected to be in the upper 70s across the county.

The National Weather Service's most recent seven-day forecast for the Palm Desert and Coachella Valley is as follows:

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 78. East wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday night
Clear, with a low around 59. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 81. West wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night
Clear, with a low around 57. West wind around 5 mph.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 79. South wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the morning.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 80.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 79.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

M.L.King Day
Sunny, with a high near 77.