Wicked weather threatens Coachella music fest as tens of thousands descend on desert

Music fans heading to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this weekend have been warned to watch out for dust storms and even rain sweeping through the idyllic desert setting.

An air-quality alert for the Coachella Valley forecast wind-driven dust that could create unhealthy conditions as the massive outdoor festival gets under way Friday.

Meteorologists say wind gusts could reach up to 35 miles per hour on Friday and Saturday, potentially sending large amounts of particulate matter, known as PM10, into the air.

Those particles are expected to peak Friday night, right as the festival kicks into high gear.

“Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of lung infections,” the National Weather Service told KTLA.

While the air quality threat applies to everyone, officials say certain groups face higher risks, including children, older adults, pregnant women and people with lung disease.

Health experts advise staying indoors, shutting windows and doors, using air conditioning or purifiers, and avoiding fans or swamp coolers that draw in outside air.

Additionally, a storm system is expected to move across Southern California later in the weekend, bringing a chance of rain to the desert.

Temperatures are forecast to hit 90 degrees on Friday before cooling to 81 degrees Saturday as the system arrives, according to KTLA. Sunday’s high is expected to dip further to 78 degrees, with lingering showers possible.

The first weekend of the two-weekend event features headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Anyma and Karol G.

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