The start of the Coachella festival was anything but smooth this year. Held in the Californian desert, the event saw its first weekend disrupted by strong winds and dust clouds, to the point of being dubbed “Dustchella” or “Windchella” on social media. Between difficult conditions for festival-goers and concert cancellations, the weather became an unexpected factor in this 2026 edition.
Extreme conditions that disrupt the festival
According to the Los Angeles Times, winds reached speeds of between 55 and 65 km/h on Friday, a figure confirmed by meteorologist Isaac Longley of AccuWeather. Other reports even suggest gusts reaching up to 80 km/h, according to the American press, as reported by Courrier International. These gusts kicked up large clouds of dust, causing eye and respiratory irritation for spectators.
The campsite was particularly hard hit, with tents and other structures blown away by the wind, creating chaos among festival-goers. While such conditions are not entirely unheard of in this desert region, the Los Angeles Times points out that it is rare for them to have such a direct impact on the festival.
A cancellation and concerts under pressure
Faced with these conditions deemed dangerous, the organizers had to cancel DJ Anyma's performance on Saturday, a highly anticipated event that was to showcase his new show. This was an exceptional decision, as weather-related cancellations are rare for this event.
Despite these disruptions, several artists maintained their performances, including Sabrina Carpenter, who opened the festival. The weekend also welcomed popular figures like Justin Bieber and Addison Rae, although the audience experience was largely impacted by the challenging weather conditions. Now, all that remains is to hope for more favorable weather for the rest of the festivities.
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