Winds gusting at times at more than 60 miles per hour flailed at the Southland today, prompting forecasters to urge residents to beware of hazardous mountain-driving conditions and downed trees and power lines around the region.
Today's strong upper-level north-to-northeast winds are the result of a cold upper-level low-pressure system now over the state's southeastern tier, according to the National weather service.
"These strong winds will likely translate down to the surface across portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties,'' according to an NWS advisory.
"The strongest winds will be focused across Los Angeles County mountains as well as the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley and San Fernando Valley,'' it said.
These conditions are expected to create several mountain waves that could churn up strong sudden gusts across portions of the Los Angeles basin that do not normally experience strong offshore winds, according to the advisory.
"Downed trees and power lines along with power outages will be likely across portions of the Los Angeles basin,'' it said.
This morning, a 64-mph gust was recorded at Whitaker Peak while elsewhere in the San Gabriels, the wind gusted at 56 mph at Johnstone Peak and 53 mph at Camp Nine.
In mountain areas, the wind blowing amid snow showers will produce hazardous driving conditions and "likely affect interstate 5 near The Grapevine,'' according to the advisory.
A wind advisory will be in effect until 4 this afternoon in the San Gabriels and Santa Monicas, most valley areas, along the coast, in downtown an the rest of metropolitan Los Angeles, and in the Hollywood Hills.
Until it was canceled around 9 a.m., a more serious high wind warning had been in effect in the San Gabriel mountains and the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys.
Highs today will be in the mid 40s on Mount Wilson, the mid 50s in the Antelope Valley and the mid 60s in most other Greater L.A.-area communities.
The high in Monrovia is expected to be 61 degrees today, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Tonight's low is 39 degrees.
