Wind Blown Dust Advisory for Coachella Valley

South Coast Air Quality Management District officials issued a wind blown dust advisory Friday afternoon for the Coachella Valley.

"Locally strong gusty winds with blowing dust and sand are causing PM10 Concentrations to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups level or higher in the Coachella Valley," the advisory stated.

"PM10 concentrations are expected remain elevated through the end of the day. In areas directly impacted by windblown dust, everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors."

The National Weather Service advised that showers and thunderstorms were expected to continue over portions of the mountains and deserts through evening hours Friday.

Impacts could include periods of heavy rainfall, localized flash flooding, gusty winds, small hail, and dangerous lighting, the Weather Service advised.