High Winds Whip Through Southern California

Strong Santa Ana winds buffeted the Southland today on the second day of a three-day wind event.

Wind gusts of 70 miles per hour are possible in mountain areas this morning, especially along the Interstate 5 Corridor, according to a National Weather Service advisory. Valley areas will experience gusts of 40 or 50 mph, it said.

By mid morning, gusty winds blowing at sustained speeds of 40 mph are expected in L.A. County’s coastal zone, which runs from the coast to the Hollywood Hills and includes metropolitan Los Angeles. These winds will decrease by this afternoon, according to the advisory.

The gusty winds will make driving through mountain areas treacherous, especially in high-profile vehicles, NWS forecasters said.

A high wind warning indicating 40-mph winds gusting to 58 mph or greater will be in effect in the San Gabriel Mountains and the Santa Monica Recreational Area until noon. In Orange County, it will remain in force until 2 p.m. Saturday.

In the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, a wind advisory denoting an expectation of winds blowing at speeds of at least 35 mph will be in effect until 3 p.m. Saturday.

Temperatures, meanwhile, are expected to rise today and climb even higher Saturday.

Temperatures generally will climb another few degrees Sunday before a slight cooling trend starts Monday.