Stagecoach 2024: High winds kick up dust and cowboy hats
The Stagecoach Country Music Festival is back at the Empire Polo Club in Indio and its first day included some unusual weather for the three-day event, with high winds and cooler temperatures. Festivalgoers often experience hot and dry weather throughout the weekend.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a windblown dust advisory on Thursday. The report warns that gusty winds are expected to cause periods of elevated particle pollution levels in the San Gorgonio Pass area and the Coachella Valley through Friday night. The strongest wind gusts could reach up to 40 to 60 miles per hour at times. Blowing dust may result in Air Quality Index (AQI) levels that are hazardous at times.
The wind advisory will be in effect until 11 p.m. Friday and is expected to clear up by Saturday. Day two is expected to be sunny at 86 degrees and Sunday will be a warmer 90 degrees.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District advises residents to take necessary precautions such as limiting exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed or seeking alternate shelter, avoiding vigorous physical activity, running air conditioning and an air purifier (do not use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air), and to help minimize dust pollution by stabilizing loose soils and slowing down if driving on dirt roads.
Fans attending the festival could be seen chasing their cowboy hats from time to time as the wind kicked up in the evening and working to secure their chairs and blankets to keep them from blowing away.
For more information, see the EPA Guide for Particle Pollution.