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Strong Santa Anas Winds Return To SoCal. What To Watch Out For
Forecast high winds for Wednesday.
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Courtesy NWS
)
The Santa Ana winds are back.
Quick Facts
- Today’s weather: Morning low clouds, afternoon sunshine, windy
- Beaches: upper 60s, low 70s
- Mountains: 50s-60s
- Inland: upper 60s, low 70s
- Warnings and advisories: High Wind Warning
Low clouds will continue through morning, but it will be sunny this afternoon. Coastal areas will stay in the upper 60s except for Santa Monica where you can expect a high of 72 degrees. More inland, expect high temperatures to reach the low 70s, upper 60s.
In the high desert, it'll be windy with highs up to 62 degrees, whereas in the Coachella Valley, expect a high 79 degrees.
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Tonight's lows will drop to the low 50s, and the upper 40s for the valleys.
About those Santa Anas
The National Weather Service says strong Santa Ana winds are returning to SoCal tonight and will continue tomorrow. High wind warnings have been issued for several parts of the Southland.
In the northern portion of the L.A. County mountains, wind gusts could reach up to 70 mph. Winds gusts of up to 55 mph are expected along Malibu Coast. Meanwhile, forecasters say mountains and valleys can expect advisory-level wind gusts today, including the 5 Freeway and Highway 14 corridors where gusts could reach up to 45 mph.
In Orange County, areas below the coastal slopes of the Santa Ana mountains and near the Cajon Pass could see gusts of up to 100 mph. Residents in the Inland Empire can expect northeast winds from 30 to 40 mph.
Some gusts could reach up to 75 mph in the San Bernardino County mountains.
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Forecasters say the strongest winds will start before sunrise tomorrow through the late morning.
High wind tips
Safety tips from Southern California Edison
- Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.
- Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they are fresh. Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage; do not use candles because they may pose a significant fire hazard.
- If you’re in a vehicle with a fallen power line on it, stay in the vehicle and remain calm until help arrives. It is OK to use your cellphone to call 911. If you must leave the vehicle, remember to exit away from downed power lines and exit by jumping from the vehicle and landing with both feet together. You must not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Then proceed away from the vehicle by shuffling and not picking up your feet until you are several yards away.
- Water and electricity don’t mix. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Do not step in or enter any water that a downed power line may be touching.
- Do not use any equipment inside that is designed for outdoor heating or cooking. Such equipment can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
- If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using a heavy-duty extension cord. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.
- Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food as fresh as possible. Place blocks of ice inside to help keep food cold. Check food carefully for signs of spoilage.
- Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is safe.
This day in history
On this day in 2015, another strong Santa Ana wind event boosted temperatures, where in Santa Ana it reached 96 degrees.
Things to do
- Seoul2LA: The Hammer courtyard will turn into a festival of music, art, and culture this week with Seoul2LA. Featuring DJs Mindspray, Zo, Dwoo and more, the museum is connecting “two epicenters of art and creativity” with talent from South Korea featuring alongside local artists.
Check out our full list of things to do this week.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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