LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds are expected to continue through this afternoon in parts of the Los Angeles area, with high-wind warnings and advisories through 3 p.m.
The National Weather Service issued high wind warnings from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 3 p.m. Thursday for the Los Angeles and Ventura County mountains and the San Fernando Valley.
Gusts of 70 mph were possible in the mountains, the weather service said, with 60 mph gusts in the valley and gusts of 40 to 50 mph in the Malibu area.
In Orange County inland areas, as well as the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills, the San Bernardino and Riverside County valleys and Inland Empire, a high-wind warning was in effect until noon Thursday, with winds northeast winds 20 to 40 mph and gusts to 70 mph.
“The winds will increase from the north and the northeast overnight, and peak Thursday morning over the northern areas favoring Santa Ana winds in Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, especially immediately below the Cajon Pass and the Santa Ana Mountains,'' the weather service said.
“The threat for damaging Santa Ana winds will come to an end by Thursday afternoon.''
The weather service also warned that, “Damaging winds could blow down large objects such as trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.''
Although no fire weather warnings are in effect, the Los Angeles County Fire Department advised residents to download an evacuation plan athttp://fire.lacounty.gov/rsg/.
The NWS said the wind event is expected to be “pretty short,'' though another round of gusty winds is expected to return late Saturday into Sunday.
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