News
Wicked Santa Ana Winds Create Driving Hazards Throughout Inland Empire
(CNS) – Fierce Santa Ana winds whipped up a sandstorm, flung numerous objects onto freeways and streets and created other hazards throughout the Inland Empire Monday.
According to the California Highway Patrol, about 8:30 a.m., a sandstorm severely reduced visibility on Interstate 10 and roadways around Indio.
As a safety precaution, the agency recommended that high-profile vehicles stay of off Coachella Valley roads altogether for the duration of the wicked gusts, which were clocked at 45 mph in and around Palm Springs International Airport about 10:25 a.m.
In the Riverside metropolitan area, where the windstorm began in earnest about 9 p.m. Sunday, with no letup into Monday morning, a range of objects landed on freeways and roads.
The CHP said that a ladder flew off a work truck on northbound Interstate 15 at Limonite Avenue in Jurupa Valley about 10 a.m., snarling traffic, with two lanes blocked.
A roadside sign came loose along northbound Interstate 215 at MLK Boulevard in Riverside shortly after 10 a.m., landing in the slow lane, forcing drivers to stop and go around it, the CHP said.
About 10:20 a.m., wires, possibly electrical lines, fell into the path of vehicles on Cedar Street, near Old Elsinore Road, in Mead Valley. No accidents or injuries were reported.
In the immediate vicinity of Riverside Municipal Airport, the pilot of a Boeing 767 reported “severe turbulence” at 5,000 feet just after 10 a.m., according to the Riverside Flight Service Station.
The airport was reporting wind speeds averaging 22 mph, gusting to 42 mph, at that time.
Despite the harsh winds, no significant power outages were reported in Riverside County by SoCal Edison.
The National Weather Service posted a high wind warning for the region that was set to expire at 4 p.m. Monday.
“North to northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts of 50 to 70 mph (are possible),” the NWS said. “Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.”
Several tightly bound dry low pressure systems were to blame for whipping up the powerful slipstream, according to surface analysis charts published by the weather service.
“Winds are expected to slowly weaken throughout the afternoon, with gusty winds becoming confined to below passes by this evening,” the NWS stated.
Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.
By: Ceci Partridge
January 23, 2023
Link Copied To Clipboard!
Latest Instagram Posts
82
After the Democrats flipped control of both the House and the Senate, victorious candidates celebrated their historic wins in victory speeches across the country.
144
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms is the first Black female governor in US history.
561
In July, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed in Houston by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in a traffic stop as part of a “targeted operation,” ICE said. Voters are now leaving their “I Voted” stickers at his memorial site.
58
The Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by Agua Caliente Casinos, returns November 20–22, 2026, for a weekend of hot air balloons, live music and entertainment. Saturday, November 21: 6:30 PM – Robin Thicke performs live. 7:45 PM – Festival drone light show. Tickets and more information at www.cchotairballoonfest.com. #CathedralCity #HotAirBalloonFestival #RobinThicke #AguaCalienteCasinos #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #DroneLightShow #NBCPalmSprings
30
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Do you do your holiday shopping early or late?
307
HISTORY COULD BE MADE IN COACHELLA! 🇺🇸 Denise Delgado is taking an early lead in the race for Coachella mayor. If the results hold, she would become the first woman elected mayor in the city’s 80-year history! Votes are still being counted on Election Night. #Coachella #ElectionNight #Election2026 #RiversideCounty #NBCPalmSprings
95
Tonight we are hearing from both CA District 36 State Assembly candidates, after early polling has showed that Democratic nominee Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez is currently in the lead. However with less than half the votes counted still, Jeff Gonzalez says it’s too early to tell who will win. We will have future numbers here and our website nbcpalmsprings.com #nbcpalmsprings #2026election #fyp #elections
239
BREAKING: NBC News projects Democrats have won control of the House. A major Election Night shift in Washington as Democrats secure control of the House of Representatives, changing the balance of power in Congress. What does this mean for President Trump’s agenda and the next two years in Washington? Stay with NBC Palm Springs for continuing Election Night coverage. #ElectionNight #Midterms2026 #Democrats #HouseOfRepresentatives ElectionResults NBCPalmSprin
232
Election Day is officially here and we’re closely tracking your Coachella Valley local races. Our @newsbyalondra is keeping a close eye on the city of Coachella’s mayoral and city council races. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs on air and online for your latest election coverage.
58
The California State Assembly District 36 race heats up between Jeff Gonzalez and Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez, and we have all the coverage here and on nbcpalmsprings.com #election2026 #nbcpalmsprings #district36 #fyp