LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Violent winds caused by a weak cold front that pushed through the Southland today pummeled some areas, causing power outages and trees to topple onto vehicles and homes.
Power outages were affecting nearly 2,400 customers in Los Feliz and a little more than 1,900 in Brentwood late Thursday night in addition to a few smaller outages around the city, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Earlier outages were reported in the Mid-Wilshire, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills areas.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory signifying winds of 35 miles per hour that will be in effect until 10 a.m. Friday in the Santa Clarita Valley, and until noon Friday in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County beach cities, metropolitan Los Angeles, and the Hollywood Hills.
Strong winds raking the Los Angeles area have toppled trees in Arleta, El Sereno, Alhambra and Irwindale. One downed tree fell onto a property in Larchmont and another on a home in Beverly Hills, according to broadcast reports. No injuries have been reported.
A more serious high wind warning, which denotes winds of 40 miles per hour and 58-mph gusts, is in effect in the San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley and due to expire at 1 a.m. Friday, and will be in effect until 1 a.m. Friday in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area.
The strongest winds were expected in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains. Winds of 25 to 40 mph are forecast in the San Gabriels, along with gusts of 60 and 70 mph. Slightly weaker winds were expected in the Santa Monicas, which are forecast to experience winds of 25-40 mph with 50-60-mph gusts, with about the same expected in the Antelope Valley.
In beach cities, metropolitan Los Angeles, downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, winds of 20-30 miles were expected, along with gusts of up to 50 mph. In the San Gabriel Valley, the wind is expected to blow at 15-20 mph with 40-mph gusts.
The NWS said some big gusts were recorded in Los Angeles County Thursday morning, including 53 mph in the Antelope Valley, 48 mph on Santa Catalina Island, 42 mph in the San Gabriel Mountains, and 38 mph at the Port of Los Angeles.
``Winds this strong may down trees and power lines, causing property damage or power outages. Cross winds can make driving difficult, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles and vehicles towing trailers,'' warned an NWS statement.
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