San Diego, California – Southern California residents are being warned to brace for poor air quality this Memorial Day weekend, as officials issue alerts about unhealthy levels of particle pollution driven by strong winds and airborne dust, particularly in the Coachella Valley.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), an air quality alert remains in effect from 2 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Saturday, prompted by gusty winds carrying dust and debris into the air. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued the alert, citing “harmful” concentrations of particle pollution—specifically PM10, which includes particles small enough to be inhaled into the lungs.
The alert applies to several cities across the region, including Indio, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta, and Coachella. While everyone can experience the effects of particle pollution, officials emphasized that vulnerable groups such as older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, and people with heart or lung conditions face the greatest health risks…