High Wind — Chiriaco Summit, California

2025-01-08 · Chiriaco Summit, California

Event narrative

Several semi-trucks (10 approximately) flipped over on I-10 between Desert Center and Indio from strong northerly crosswinds. Peak wind gusts of approximately 60 mph were estimated. At least 1 minor injury reported.

Wider weather episode

A strong upper-level low pressure migrated southward from the Great Basin Region through the Lower Colorado River Valley during 7th and then tracked into the northern Baja Peninsula on the 8th. The tight pressure gradient present, especially along the western periphery of the low, led to strong northerly winds across portions of southeast CA with peak wind gusts ranging between 40-65 mph. The strong winds caused several semi-trucks to flip over along I-10 between Desert Center and Indio.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1231474. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.