
High winds were expected to hit throughout the Southland Wednesday — with a high wind warning in effect in the Los Angeles County mountains, excluding the Santa Monica Range, and less severe wind advisories in effect for most other areas.
The warning and most advisories are in effect until noon — except for the San Gabriel Valley, where a wind advisory is in effect until 9 a.m.
For the L.A. County mountains, the high-wind warning calls Northeast winds of 25 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph and isolated gusts to 65 mph early in the day.
The National Weather Service said potentially damaging winds could blow down large objects such as trees and power lines, and that power outages are expected.
In addition, travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles, the NWS said. The affected area includes Interstate 5 and Highway 14 in L.A. County.
“People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches,” the weather service said, regarding the mountain areas. “If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.”
Less-severe wind advisories were in place till noon for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area; the San Fernando Valley; the L.A. County coast, including downtown L.A., Malibu, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Long Beach; the Santa Clarita Valley; the Santa Ana mountains and foothills; and Orange County inland areas.
Winds in those areas are expected to range from 20 to 35 mph, with gusts to 50. Isolated gusts to 60 mph were in the forecast above Porter Ranch and Chatsworth, and to 55 mph in the Santa Clarita Valley foothills.
“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles,” the NWS warned. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. This includes the Pacific Coast Highway.”
In the San Gabriel Valley, where a wind advisory was in effect until 9 a.m., winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts to 45, were expected, with the strongest winds in the foothills.
Several low-pressure systems sweeping across Southern California into Arizona are stirring the offshore winds, according to forecasters.
“The Santa Anas will die down Wednesday afternoon, and onshore flow will begin to increase,” the NWS said.
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