LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Fierce winds are expected in parts of the Southland today into Saturday, arriving one day after less intense gusts drove up temperatures and created hazardous driving conditions.
A high wind warning -- more severe than Thursday's wind advisory -- will take effect at 3 p.m. in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys and the Los Angeles County Mountains. The warnings will remain in effect until 3 p.m. Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service, the L.A. County Mountains could experience winds of 35 mph to 45 mph, with gusts of 70 mph, and isolated gusts potentially reaching 80 mph in the western portion of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Other areas covered by the warning could see 25 mph to 35 mph winds, with gusts up to 65 mph -- strongest in the Santa Monica Mountains and western and northern parts of the San Fernando Valley.
Less severe wind advisories will be in effect from 3 p.m. today to 3 p.m. Saturday for the Los Angeles coastal region, including downtown, and the San Gabriel Valley. Forecasters anticipate winds of 20 mph to 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph, in the coastal area, most notably near Malibu. The San Gabriel Valley could be hit with winds of 15 mph to 25 mph, and gusts up to 40 mph.
Forecasters said the winds could be ``strong and potentially damaging.''
``Daytime temperatures will warm to above seasonal normals for this time of year as offshore flow will remain in place through the period, but in wind-sheltered areas and the interior valleys, overnight low temperatures could get quite cold,'' according to the NWS.
The advisories came with warnings that the high winds can blow around unsecured objects and make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Areas noted by the weather service for caution include the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeways.
In addition, tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result, the weather service said.