Santa Ana winds gusted across much of the Southland Friday, beginning what is expected to be three days of blustery and warm conditions that could result in uprooted trees, power outages and hazardous roadways for high-profile vehicles.
The winds are expected to continue into Sunday, peaking on Saturday morning.
“Winds will peak in strength and coverage on Saturday, when gusty northeasterly winds will occur across almost all of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including portions of Catalina Island,” according to the National Weather Service. “Warning level wind gusts (60 to 70 mph) are expected through Saturday across the Santa Susana Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains (including the Highway 14 Corridor). Advisory level winds are expected elsewhere.”
By 9:30 a.m. Friday, winds up to 40 mph were already recorded in some coastal and valley areas, with gusts between 50 and 65 mph detected in the mountains.
The Santa Ana winds will also result in dramatically warmer temperatures.
“Highs Saturday will be in the upper 70s to low 80s across the coast and valleys (10 to 15 degrees above normal),” forecasters said. “On Sunday mid to upper 80s will be widespread across the coasts and valleys (12 to 18 degrees above normal). Calender day records are mostly in the 90s on Sunday, so it will be difficult but not impossible to break records. Minor to moderate heat impacts will be possible, mainly for outdoor workers and those without air conditioning.”
A high wind warning will be in effect until 3 p.m. Saturday in the San Gabriel Mountains and Antelope Valley (14) Freeway corridor, with winds of 25 to 40 mph expected, gusting up to 70 mph. From 3 p.m. Saturday to 3 p.m. Sunday, a wind advisory will cover that area, with gusts reaching 55 mph possible.
“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” forecasters warned. “Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
Wind advisories are also in effect until 3 p.m. Sunday in the Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu Coast, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, San Fernando Valley and the Golden State (5) Freeway corridor.
Almost all other Southland areas will be under a wind advisory from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, including the beaches, Catalina Island and the inland coastal area stretching into downtown Los Angeles.
The winds should weaken later Sunday and Monday, with coastal and valley areas seeing a temperature drop of about 5 to 10 degrees by Monday, with another 3 to 6 degrees of cooling on Tuesday — still leaving temperatures slightly above normal.