Powerful winds swept areas of the Southland Thursday while temperatures climbed in the region’s first heat wave of the year, prompting forecasters to urge area residents to protect themselves against heat-related illnesses.
Winds as high as 67 mph blew at Whitaker Peak in the Angeles National Forest, 58 mph at Oat Mountain in the Santa Susana Mountains overlooking the San Fernando Valley, 53 mph in Sandberg in the Antelope Valley and Pyramid Lake in the Santa Clarita Valley, 50 mph in Saugus, 46 mph at Castaic Lake.
A high wind warning will be in effect until 9 a.m. Friday in the San Gabriel Mountains.
In the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys and the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, a wind advisory, which is a little less serious than a high wind advisory, will be in effect until 9 a.m. Friday, and a heat advisory will be in force from 11 a.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday.
In the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles’ coastal zone, which includes beach cities, metropolitan Los Angeles, the downtown area and the Hollywood Hills, only a heat advisory has been issued and will be in force from 11 a.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Offshore, a gale warning will be in force until 3 a.m. Friday amid west winds of 20-30 knots per hour with gusts of 40 knots per hour and seas of 8 to 11 feet.
“Strong winds will create dangerous sea conditions, which could capsize or damage small and large vessels,” the National Weather Service warned.
“Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions.”
The temperature reached 94 at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, tying the record for April 23 set in 1946. Other highs in Los Angeles County for the 18-hour period ending at 5 p.m. were 94 in Van Nuys; 93 in Woodland Hills; 92 in downtown Los Angeles, Chatsworth and Pasadena; 91 in Northridge; 90 at UCLA; and 86 at Los Angeles International Airport.
Orange County highs included 93 in Yorba Linda; 90 at the Fullerton Airport and Santa Ana; 89 in Anaheim and Lake Forest; and 88 at John Wayne Airport.