Cooler temperatures and sporadic light rains are possible through Thursday or Friday in the Southland, with gusting winds expected to buffet the area starting Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service, daytime temperatures are expected to hover around 10 degrees below normal through Friday, with highs generally running between 53 and 63 degrees.
Light rain, meanwhile, could fall in select areas through the week, although any such precipitation will be minimal. Snow levels could fall as low as 3,500 feet by Wednesday, which could affect traffic in the Tejon Pass and potentially drop 1 to 3 inches in some mountain communities.
But the more noticeable issue will be the wind.
“West to northwest winds will be common over the region through Wednesday,” according to the NWS. “Tuesday afternoon and evening look the strongest and most widespread, as a strong 120-140 knot jet moves right through southwest California. Wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph will be common, especially on Tuesday, over the vast majority of the area including urban areas. Isolated gusts of 55 to 65 over the mountains and deserts are also on the table.”
A wind advisory will be in effect from 1 p.m. Tuesday through 2 a.m. Wednesday for Catalina Island, the Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu Coast, Los Angeles County beaches, Palos Verdes Hills, the inland coast including downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calbasas, Agoura Hills, San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley. Forecasters said the wind could make driving difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles such as motor homes and big rigs.
The advisory will be in effect from 1 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday for the San Gabriel Mountains and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors. A wind advisory was already in effect for the Antelope Valley and Antelope Valley foothills, continuing through 2 a.m. Wednesday.
According to the NWS, a potentially “big change” in the weather is likely by Saturday, thanks to weak offshore winds that should power a warming trend continuing into early next week.