Coachella thrown into chaos as festivalgoers hit with weather warning

Coachella has been thrown into early chaos with festivalgoers set to battle severe weather warnings.

Attendees are being told to brace for dust storms as the 2026 event gets underway today in Coachella Valley in Indio, California.

Wind gusts of up to 35mph are expected to hit the area throughout Friday and into Saturday as the first weekend gets underway.

An air quality alert has been issued by the South Coast Air Quality Monitoring District due to 'harmful levels' of windblown dust pollution and rain.

The strongest wind gusts are expected to hit on Friday night, just hours into day one of the festival.

'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 cautioned.

It added that while everyone can be affected, sensitive groups such as people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk.

Potential rain is forecast to hit the Coachella Valley on Saturday and Sunday, thanks to a storm system.

Coachella festivalgoers should brace for dust storms tonight

An air quality alert has been issued due to 'harmful levels' of windblown dust pollution

According to KTLA, temperatures are forecast to hit 90 degrees on Friday before cooling to 81 degrees Saturday. Sunday's high is expected to drop to 78 degrees.

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The Daily Mail has contacted Coachella for comment.

Dust has long been an issue at Coachella.

On the Coachella Reddit forum, numerous festivalgoers have warned others to be prepared.

'You don't think it's bad until you get home. Trust me, bring a bandanna and cover your face, especially at night,' one person wrote.

Another agreed: 'As a person with respiratory disease I can confirm that there is a significant amount of dust.

'Especially in the evening after the wind kicks up. I understand that weekend two can be even worse.'

To combat the dust, it's recommended from previous festivalgoers that you bring a bandanna with you to cover your face and mouth at night.

Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems

Justin Bieber, Karol G and Sabrina Carpenter are set to headline this year's Coachella

It's not just dust that has thwarted the Coachella experience.

Last year, Coachella attendees desperately sought shelter after battling near record-breaking heat.

Temperatures rose to a staggering 101 degrees on the festival's first day, just shy of the record high for the area of 106 degrees set in 1904.

Coachella's official website urges festivalgoers to make use of the free water stations during their time in the desert.

'Stay hydrated,' they implore. 'Bring an empty plastic refillable water bottle to fill at any number of our free water refill stations.'

Coachella's star-studded lineup for 2026 includes headline performers Justin Bieber, Karol G and Sabrina Carpenter.

The likes of Disclosure, FKA twigs, Little Simz, Central Cee and Addison Rae are also on the bill.