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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Gusty Santa Ana winds that battered many parts of the Southland, felling trees in some areas while making driving hazardous for trucks and other high-profile vehicles, are expected to ease Friday.
The combination of saturated ground and high winds led to numerous reports of trees falling across the area, including one in La Crescenta that crashed through the roof of a home, rending the building uninhabitable.
Another large tree fell onto a home in Altadena. In Lake Balboa, a tree fell onto numerous parked cars near an apartment building. No injuries were reported.
During the height of the wind event, a gust of 86 mph was measured Thursday afternoon in the San Gabriel Mountains, according to the National Weather Service.
Although gusty conditions persisted into the late afternoon Thursday, the winds were easing in strength. High wind warnings that had been in place across a large swath of the Southland were allowed to expire at 4 p.m., replaced in many areas with less serious wind advisories.
According to the NWS, a wind advisory will be in place until 11 a.m. Friday in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the San Gabriel Mountains and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors. Winds of 20 to 35 mph are expected, with gusts possible of up to 55 mph.
The Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu Coast, Calabasas and the western San Fernando Valley will also be under a wind advisory until 11 a.m. Friday, with winds possibly gusting up to 45 mph, forecasters said.
Forecasters noted that the low-pressure system in the area was also carrying some moisture, creating a slight chance of showers and possibly even a thunderstorm Friday. Some "snow showers" are even possible in eastern mountains.
"Much lighter winds in the forecast for Friday as gradients weaken," according to the NWS. "There will still be some gusty winds in the mountains Friday morning but those should taper down through the day."
Saturday could also see some light winds and showers.
Warmer weather is anticipated in the area by Sunday, with temperatures in the upper 70s and lower 80s possibly by Monday and Tuesday, forecasters said.