LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Strong and dry Santa Ana winds will blow across much of L.A. County today.
The National Weather Service said wind gusts as high as 55 miles per hour will swirl in the L.A. County portion of the San Gabriel Mountains, while gusts of between 35 and 40 mph whip through valley areas.
A wind advisory signifying an expectation of gusts of at least 35 mph will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains and the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.
The valleys are expected to be stroked by winds of between 15 and 30 mph but accompanied by gusts of as much as 40 mph. The winds will be strongest in the Santa Clarita Valley and across northern and western portions of the San Fernando Valley, NWS meteorologists said..
“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and make driving difficult, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles,” warned an NWS statement. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high-profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture.”
The NWS forecast sunshine in L-A County, with the exception of partly cloudy Long Beach and Avalon, and highs of 62 degrees on Mount Wilson; 69 in Palmdale and Lancaster; 73 at LAX and in Avalon; 74 in Saugus; 76 in San Gabriel; 77 in Pasadena, Burbank and Downtown L.A.; and 80 in Downtown L.A. Similar temperatures are expected Wednesday, also under sunny skies, before a cooling trend gets underway Thursday under cloudy skies, which will last at least through Monday.
No NWS advisories were issued for Orange County, where sunny skies were also forecast, along with highs of 53 on Santiago Peak; 67 on Ortega Highway at 2,600 feet, in Newport Beach; and Laguna Beach; 68 in San Clemente; 72 at Fremont Canyon; 75 in Trabuco Canyon; 76 in Irvine and Mission Viejo; and 77 inYorba Linda; Fullerton; and Anaheim. Two more sunny days are in the forecast, including Thursday, when a cooling trend will begin, followed by a least four days of partly cloudy skies, according to a 7-day NWS forecast.
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