Palm Desert Warnings, Watches and Advisories

Do not drive vehicles through flooded areas. The water depth or fast flowing water/mud/debris from a flash flood will make road conditions unsafe. Do not rely soley on data presented here or other third-party websites - always check your official national and local weather service agency website, socials, radio and/or TV stations for making critical decisions related to weather events.

Please carefully read each posted Warning and Alert as it relates to the area(s) being affected. We may provide a wider range of issued severe weather warnings for surrounding cities and counties, so some alerts may not directly impact this location. This is done to help with preparing for severe weather that may overlap or be heading towards Palm Desert.

Use the Radar Maps link provided to understand the trajectory of a storm.

Air Quality Alert issued September 19 at 1:26PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

The South Coast AQMD has issued an air quality alert due to increased fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke in the region. The air quality alert is in effect until 2 PM Friday. If you smell smoke or see ash due to a wildfire, remain indoors with windows and doors closed or seek alternative shelter, if feasible. Avoid vigorous physical activity and run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air. Avoid burning wood in your fireplace or firepit and minimize sources of indoor air pollution such as candles, incense, pan-frying, and grilling. If you must be outdoors, keep the time brief and wear a tightly-fitted N-95 or P-100 respirator to help reduce exposure. Limit the use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment. Exposure to particle pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, cause asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and increase risk of respiratory infections. People with heart or lung diseases should follow their doctor's advice for dealing with episodes of unhealthy air quality. Additionally, people with respiratory or heart disease, older adults, and children are particularly susceptible and should avoid prolonged exposure, strenuous activities or heavy exertion as conditions dictate. Levels of particle pollution can vary hour by hour and by location depending on fire behavior and local weather conditions. To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website at aqmd.gov or download the mobile app at www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp. Additional details for this air quality alert may be available at www.aqmd.gov/advisory. To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District website at mdaqmd.ca.gov. Additional details for this air quality alert may be available at www.mdaqmd.ca.gov/advisories. To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the antelope Valley Air Quality Management District website at www.avaqmd.ca.gov.

Flood Watch issued September 19 at 12:51PM PDT until September 20 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

* WHAT...Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall are possible in and around the Lake burn scar. * WHERE...A portion of southwest California, including the following areas, Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains and Santa Ynez Valley. * WHEN...Through late tonight. * IMPACTS...Heavy rainfall over the Lake burn scar is expected up to and during the period of the watch. Residents near the burn scar should prepare for potential flooding impacts. Be sure to stay up to date with information from local authorities. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - National Weather Service Meteorologists are forecasting heavy rainfall over the burn scar, which may lead to flash flooding and debris flows. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Flood Watch issued September 19 at 12:51PM PDT until September 20 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

* WHAT...Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall are possible, especially over the Hurricane and Apache burn scars. * WHERE...A portion of southwest California, including the following areas, Cuyama Valley, Northern Ventura County Mountains, San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys and San Luis Obispo County Mountains. * WHEN...Through late tonight. * IMPACTS...Heavy rainfall over the Hurricane and Apache scars is expected up to and during the period of the watch. Residents near the burn scars should prepare for potential flooding impacts. Be sure to stay up to date with information from local authorities. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - National Weather Service Meteorologists are forecasting heavy rainfall over the burn scar, which may lead to flash flooding and debris flows. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Winter Weather Advisory issued September 19 at 11:32AM PDT until September 19 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches. * WHERE...Elevations above 9,000 feet. Includes Yosemite NP outside of the valley, Upper San Joaquin River, Kings Canyon NP, and Sequoia NP. * WHEN...Until 8 PM PDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult due to snow covered roads. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Stronger showers and thunderstorms could briefly lower snow levels to around 8,500 feet at times.

Flood Watch issued September 19 at 9:32AM PDT until September 19 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall due to thunderstorms is possible. * WHERE...A portion of central California, including the following areas, Buena Vista, Frazier Mountain Communities and West Side Mountains South of 198. * WHEN...Through this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. The thunderstorms will have the potential to impact the Hurricane burn scar during the period of the watch. Residents near the Hurricane Burn Scar should prepare for the possibility of flooding impacts. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Residents near the Hurricane Burn Scar should prepare for the possibility of flooding impacts. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Winter Weather Advisory issued September 19 at 1:28AM PDT until September 19 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV

* WHAT...Snow accumulations up to an inch possible above 8500 feet with 1 to 4 inches above 9500 feet. Locally greater amounts possible on the highest peaks of the Sierra and White Mountains. * WHERE...Mono County. * WHEN...Until 8 PM PDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on slick conditions for higher elevation roads especially early morning and again this evening. This includes Sonora and Tioga passes and CA Highway 203 west of Mammoth Lakes. Expect rapidly changing weather conditions in the backcountry, especially for elevations above 10000 feet.

Air Quality Alert issued September 18 at 4:31PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

The South Coast AQMD has issued an air quality alert due to increased fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke in the region. The air quality alert is in effect until 2 PM Thursday. If you smell smoke or see ash due to a wildfire, remain indoors with windows and doors closed or seek alternative shelter, if feasible. Avoid vigorous physical activity and run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air. Avoid burning wood in your fireplace or firepit and minimize sources of indoor air pollution such as candles, incense, pan-frying, and grilling. If you must be outdoors, keep the time brief and wear a tightly-fitted N-95 or P-100 respirator to help reduce exposure. Limit the use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment. Exposure to particle pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, cause asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and increase risk of respiratory infections. People with heart or lung diseases should follow their doctor's advice for dealing with episodes of unhealthy air quality. Additionally, people with respiratory or heart disease, older adults, and children are particularly susceptible and should avoid prolonged exposure, strenuous activities or heavy exertion as conditions dictate. Levels of particle pollution can vary hour by hour and by location depending on fire behavior and local weather conditions. To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website at aqmd.gov or download the mobile app at www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp. Additional details for this air quality alert may be available at www.aqmd.gov/advisory. To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District website at mdaqmd.ca.gov. Additional details for this air quality alert may be available at www.mdaqmd.ca.gov/advisories. To view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the antelope Valley Air Quality Management District website at www.avaqmd.ca.gov.