The Coachella Valley often experiences strong winds and the windiest areas tend to stretch from Whitewater to North Indio, with occasional wind gusts that can range from 20-40 mph and more. Parts of Palm Springs and surrounding communities are more susceptible to higher winds, and it’s not unusual for extremely windy conditions to occur a few days of the year.
Why? Well, geographically, the valley lies just east of three mountain ranges – the San Jacinto Mountains, Santa Rosa Mountains and San Bernardino Mountains. Driving west along 1-10, one passes through the San Gorgonio Pass, and wind moves through this pass and into the desert due to differences in low pressure versus high pressure.
Generally, hot air rises so when it does, a low pressure system is created allowing air to flow into the Coachella Valley from coastal regions located west of San Gorgonio Pass. This process also known as “Venturi Effect'”.
It takes several hours to start, so that’s why wind is usually weaker in the morning.
Strongest winds usually take place between 2:00 pm to 2:00 am and this why there are numerous wind farms located in North Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Whitewater.
In spring and summer, a transition from cooler mornings to warm afternoons and evenings can also prompt windier conditions. And parts of the community, such as Palm Springs north of Vista Chino, are prone to more wind.
There are other sections of the valley with little or no wind usually, as they are more protected from gusts.
The winds can be a good thing – producing a pleasant breeze on a warm day or cleaning out a driveway – but can also cause some unwelcome results, such as a pool topped in debris, fallen palm frons, or in more serious wind storms downed fences or power lines, or sandblasts across the desert floor.
For information on how winds may impact your real estate and home buying decisions, talk to one of our agents. Call 760-250-1977 or write info@town.com
