Dust Storm — San Diego County Valleys, California

2003-11-27 · San Diego County Valleys, California

Wider weather episode

Trees blown down in several locations around the foothill communities adjacent to the Santa Ana and San Bernardino Mountains. An unladen 53 foot semi-tractor trailer was blown over the Lytle Creek Bridge on Interstate 15. Ash and soot from the burned areas in the were picked up by east winds gusting between 40 and 60 mph. Visibility was reduced across the valleys, coasts, and over the coastal waters out to San Clemente Island. The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District measured unhealthy air over the cities Escondido, El Cajon, Alpine, and Chula Vista; and hospital emergency rooms reported twice the number of patients normally seen for breathing difficulties.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5335159. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.