High Winds Whip Through Palm Springs Area

Strong winds out of the northwest hit the Coachella Valley this afternoon, and forecasters said gusts of 65 mph or more were possible before things calm down.

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for the Coachella Valley and the mountains. The warning, signifying sustained wind of more than 39 mph, will stay in effect through 3 a.m. Wednesday at least, according to the NWS.

“The winds will make driving hazardous, especially for motorists with high-profile vehicles,” according to the NWS. “The strongest gusts may cause minor structural damage and bring down trees and power lines.”

The strongest winds are expected late this afternoon and this evening. Dust and sand storms are possible, and visibility could be reduced to a quarter- mile or less in places. A low-pressure system that put a chill on Southern California’s unusually warm winter is responsible for the blow.

“Some places like Whitewater and maybe the Indio Hills area could get gusts up to 70 (mph),” NWS Meteorologist Stefanie Sullivan said. “In most of valley they’ll be 50 to 60 mph at the strongest and that would be later in the afternoon.”

Gene Autry Trail south of Interstate 10 was closed around 3:20 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. A tree reportedly blew over on San Pablo Avenue in Palm Desert.

The wind at Palm Springs International Airport was gusting upward of 25 mph just before 3 p.m.