Strong gusty winds expected to pick up through Saturday

RIVERSIDE - Strong gusty winds buffeted the valleys and mountains of Riverside County this morning and were expected to pick up again tonight through Saturday, forecasters said.

''Strong surface high pressure building over the Great Basin will generate moderate to locally strong northeast to east winds over portions of southwest California through Saturday afternoon,'' according to the National Weather Service.

The agency scheduled a high wind warning for the valleys and mountains -- but not the Coachella Valley -- until 1 p.m., and a wind advisory for the same areas from 1 o'clock this afternoon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

A high wind warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. A wind advisory means that winds of 35 mph are expected.

The strongest winds are expected this morning and tonight through Saturday morning.

''Gusty winds will make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles, including along Interstate 15 through the Cajon Pass (and) Interstate 10 through the San Gorgonio Pass,'' a weather service advisory said.