Coachella Delays Opening Of Campgrounds After Weather Warning

Amy Harris/Invision/AP, file – Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

Coachella was forced to delay the opening of its campgrounds after The National Weather Service Issued a high wind warning for April 18.

The opening was delayed to 3 a.m. April 20, the beginning of the festival’s second weekend. 

“It is strongly encouraged that you delay your arrival until after weather has passed,” Coachella organizers said in a statement posted to the festivals website April 18. 

Strong winds have swept through the Coachella Valley in Indio, Calif., since April 16.

“The National Weather Service has issued a severe high wind warning beginning Thursday morning lasting through early morning Friday,” the statement posted to Coachella’s website read. 

“Please be aware you may experience high wait times, staging time in your cars and we will not be able to accommodate wait together, camp together. ABSOLUTELY no campsite set ups, no tent canopies or pop-up tents will be allowed to be put up until high wind has passed.”

The high winds are expected to pick up dust and dirt, causing low visibility and potential driving hazards, including downed trees and powerlines.

Large and tall vehicles, such as trailers, busses and big-rig trucks, are especially at risk of being blown over by powerful gusts of wind. 

The weather warning was in effect 11 a.m. April 18 through 2 a.m. April 20. 

The Weeknd, Beyoncé, and Eminem will take the stage once more for Coachella’s second weekend, with additional performances including SZA, Vince Staples, The War On Drugs, Fleet Foxes, Brockhampton and many others.