TRAVEL ALERT: 65 MPH Gusts To Blow Through Riverside County

Strong winds are in store for the Coachella Valley and the mountains of Riverside County this week, meteorologists said today.

"A trough of low pressure moving inland through the west will bring stronger onshore flow with locally strong gusty west winds for the mountains and deserts for Wednesday into Thursday," according to a National Weather Service advisory. "(The) strongest winds are expected for Wednesday afternoon through late Wednesday night, with isolated gusts (up) to 65 miles per hour."

The agency issued a high wind watch from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning for the mountains, desert slopes and foothills, including through the Banning Pass and north of Interstate 10 in the Coachella Valley.

"The winds will make driving difficult, especially for motorists with high profile vehicles," the NWS said. "Watch for broken tree limbs and downed power lines."

Coachella Valley motorists were also cautioned to watch out for blowing dust and sand.