Rough Winds Tear Through Southern California

Gusty winds may taper off Thursday night, but can be expected to return Friday, and chilly nights are expected to continue in the Southland as autumn finally settles in, officials said today.

Gusty offshore winds continued today and were expected to drop off at sunset in the Los Angeles basin. A high mark of 57 miles per hour was recorded in the hills above Zuma Beach this morning.

Winds will howl through the night in the Santa Monica mountains and in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, said Jamie Meier of the National Weather Service.

“Wind speeds are expected to reach 55 mph with the fastest winds in the mountains, passes and canyons,” Meier said.

The NWS predicted that winds in the basin will kick up again by Friday morning. Stronger winds are expected Saturday.

“It will also be quite chilly in wind-sheltered areas,” Meier said.

A hard freeze was predicted for the Antelope Valley Friday morning, and sub-32 readings were likely in the higher inland mountains.

“Those areas without wind will be in the 40s for the third night in a row. Fall is here.”