Windblown Dust 'Fowls' The Inland Empire's Air Ahead Of Thanksgiving

CORONA, CA — The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a windblown dust advisory for multiple cities in Riverside County through Tuesday.

Sustained Santa Ana winds compounded by strong gusts have elevated particle pollution levels in Jurupa Valley, Riverside, Corona, Perris, and surrounding areas on Monday and Tuesday, according to the AQMD.

The National Weather Service issued a high-wind warning effective until 10 a.m. Tuesday in the downtown Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Hemet and Temecula areas. Those areas may remain windy throughout the day, with north winds of 20 to 30 mph expected and 55-65 mph gusts were expected in the Cajon Pass, and other mountain passes, making driving difficult.

"Travel will be hazardous, especially for high profile vehicles on east-west highways and interchanges," the NWS said, advising the public to use caution when driving in the areas under warning.

As a result of the wind and blowing dust, air quality in those cities and areas near the San Bernardino Mountains and foothills and Inland Orange County would be affected through Tuesday, the agency said. Be mindful of spending too much time outdoors if you are in a sensitive group, as air quality is considered unhealthy or worse due to blowing dust, the SCAQMD said.

The agency advised people to limit their exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed and avoiding vigorous physical activity.

"Run your air conditioning and/or an air purifier," the group advised. "If possible, do not use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air."

The SCAQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

Air quality alerts can be found at aqmd.gov.