Wind warnings issued until Monday afternoon

RIVERSIDE - Gusty winds blowing through Riverside County's mountain areas and in the Coachella Valley were expected to continue through late tonight, then become even stronger, forecasters said.

Areas of west winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts of up to 50 mph are expected through tonight. Sunday night through Monday evening, winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour are expected with gusts of more than 60 mph in wind- prone areas like the San Gorgonio Pass and north of Interstate 10 in the Coachella Valley, according to the National Weather Service.

''A low pressure system will deepen over the Great Basin Sunday into Monday,'' the NWS statement said. ''This will bring strong and potentially damaging west to northwest winds to the mountains and deserts of Southern California Sunday afternoon through Monday.''

Gusts of 60 mph were recorded in Sky Valley and of 49 mph at Whitewater around 2 a.m. today.

The NWS issued a wind advisory, set to extend until 3 a.m. Sunday for the Coachella Valley and the Riverside County mountains.

A more severe high wind watch is scheduled to go into effect Sunday afternoon, as winds intensify, and extend to the Apple and Lucerne valleys and the San Bernardino County mountains.

The wind could make driving difficult, especially along parts of Interstate 10 and Highway 62 in the northern Coachella Valley. Visibility could be reduced by blowing sand and dust, forecasters said.

The wind could also be strong enough to down tree limbs. Drivers of high profile vehicles were also advised to use extra caution, the NWS said.

Riverside COUNTY-SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY -SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS – The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory until 5 pm Sunday. Winds will be 45 mph at times and stronger winds are expected Sunday afternoon through Monday, when a strong cold upper trough will move through the area. Winds may be strong enough to require a high wind warning Sunday afternoon through Monday over the mountains and deserts.

Wind will be strongest near mountain ridge tops and along desert mountain slopes, extending into adjacent desert areas. Visibility will be reduced locally by blowing sand and dust in the deserts. Driving will be difficult for high profile vehicles. Gusts could reach 55 mph.

Stronger winds are expected over the mountains and deserts Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon.

A wind advisory means that winds of 35 mph are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult and especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.