Community Corner
High Winds Expected Through Weekend
Driving through mountain passes could be 'treacherous,' with gusts as high as 70 miles per hour expected through the Interstate 5 corridor.
Strong and potentially destructive winds that could gust at speeds of as much as 70 miles per hour will whip across the Southland today, Friday and Saturday, particularly in mountain and valley areas, forecasters said.
In the Los Angeles and Ventura county portions of the San Gabriel mountains, a wind advisory heralding winds of 35 miles per hour or greater went into effect at 9 a.m. and was scheduled to stay in force until 3 p.m., when it will be replaced by a high wind warning that will be in force until noon Friday.
A high wind warning denotes the expectation of sustained 40-mph winds and gusts of 58 miles or greater.
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Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph will blow in mountains areas through mid- afternoon today, gusting to 50 mph, then increase to the 25-40-mph range with 60-mph gusts through this evening, according to an NWS advisory.
The fiercest mountain winds will be felt through the Interstate 5 corridor, where gusts of 70 mph are possible tonight across that area's peaks, it said.
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Driving through mountainous areas, including over Interstate 5, could prove "treacherous," especially for high-profile vehicles, according to the advisory.
In the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, a wind advisory will be in effect from 7 tonight until 3 a.m. Friday, when it will give way to a more serious high wind warning scheduled to expire at noon that day.
NWS meteorologists forecast 20-30-mph winds gusting to 45 mph in the Santa Monicas this evening, followed by 25-40-mph winds and 60-mph gusts, and even 70-mph gusts at times before the winds die down Friday afternoon.
"Driving through the (Santa Monica) mountains -- including Topanga, Malibu, Kanan and Decker canyons -- especially (for) those with high-profile vehicles, will be treacherous due to very gusty winds," according to an advisory, which warned motorists to beware of flying debris, fallen trees and downed power lines.
Mountain residents were urged by an NWS advisory to "secure all doors and windows and stay indoors if possible."
Valley areas are expected to be windy as well.
In the Antelope Valley, winds of between 15 and 30 mph gusting to 45 mph will develop this morning, according to NWS forecasters. By noon, wind speeds will have increased to between 25 and 40 mph, gusting to 60 mph, they said.
"There will be areas of blowing dust, which could cause hazardous driving conditions across the valley floor," according to an advisory, which warned of difficult driving on Highway 14 and state Route 138.
A wind advisory will be in effect in the Antelope Valley until noon, followed by a high wind warning that will remain in effect until 10 tonight.
In the Santa Clarita Valley, where 20-30-mph winds are expected along with 45-mph gusts, a wind advisory will be in effect from 7 tonight until 3 Friday afternoon.
A wind advisory will be in effect from 7 tonight until 3 p.m. Saturday in the San Fernando Valley, where 15-25-mph winds gusting to 40 mph are expected to develop tonight and persist until Saturday afternoon. During that time, "gusty cross winds" will challenge drivers on the Foothill (118) and San Diego (405) freeways, according to an NWS advisory.
Temperature highs in the Greater L.A. area are expected to be in the low 60s today but rise several degrees Friday, reaching the low 70s Friday, according to the NWS.
