High surf pounded the Southland coast today as strong winds whipped the region, prompting forecasters to warn of difficult driving conditions along the the Interstate 5 corridor in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Powerful wind gusts were recorded overnight in the L.A. County portion of the San Gabriels, including 70 miles per hour at Whitaker Peak, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecast in the mountains after sunrise were winds of between 20 and 30 miles per hour, gusting to 45 mph.
“Gusty winds will make driving difficult, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles along Interstate 5,” said an NWS statement. “When driving, use extra caution. Be prepared for sudden gusty crosswinds.”
A wind advisory was scheduled to be in effect in the San Gabriels until 9 this morning. But even after it expires, windy conditions will persist in the region, with the NWS forecasting a “moderate” Santa Ana wind event through Friday.
In inland Orange County, a high wind watch will be in force from Wednesday morning through Friday.
Along the coast a high surf advisory will be effect until 4 this afternoon, both in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Forecasters are expecting surf of 6 to 10 feet, with sets of 15 feet in some locations.
Along with strong winds and high surf, the NWS forecast sunny skies today and temperatures on the warm side, with highs of 67 degrees Fahrenheit in San Clemente; 68 in Lancaster; 69 in Palmdale and Avalon; 70 on Mount Wilson; 71 in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach; 72 at LAX; 76 in Long Beach; 78 in Saugus; 79 in Anaheim, Irvine and downtown L.A.; 80 in San Gabriel, Burbank, Fullerton and Mission Viejo; 81 in Pasadena; and 82 in Yorba Linda and Woodland Hills.
Amid the Santa Ana event forecast by the NWS, temperatures are expected to rise by several degrees through Saturday before a cooling trend gets underway Sunday.
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