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Community Corner

Powerful Gusty Winds Hit the Southland

The National Weather Service issues advisories in effect through Thursday morning.

Gusty winds powerful enough to knock down trees and power lines again lashed the Southland Wednesday, especially the Los Angeles County portion of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley.

In fact, Wednesday's winds will be stronger than Tuesday, when the three-day wind event began, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Wind gusts of 69 miles per hour were recorded early Wednesday morning at Whitaker Springs in the San Gabriels while gusts of around 40 mph swirled around the Antelope Valley, according to the weather service.

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In the mountains, the Interstate 5 Corridor around The Grapevine will be particularly hard-hit before the winds die down Thursday, forecasters said.

A high wind warning, issued when forecasters expect sustained winds of at least 40 mph and gusts of at least 58 mph, will be in effect until 3 a.m. Thursday in the Antelope Valley and 9 a.m. Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains.

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In the Santa Clarita Valley, a wind advisory denoting an expectation of sustained winds of 35 mph or greater will be effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday, when it will be replaced by a more serious high wind warning, which will remain in force until 6 a.m. Thursday.

Northwest winds were expected to sweep through mountain areas at between 25 and 45 mph Wednesday, gusting at 70 mph and gaining in strength tonight, according to the NWS.

"Isolated gusts to 80 mph are possible over the peaks surrounding the Interstate 5 Corridor," according to an NWS advisory. "Winds this strong can down power lines, trees and large signs. These winds will also create hazardous driving conditions on area roads, especially through the Interstate 5 Corridor."

Driving will be especially challenging for motorists in high-profile vehicles, according to the NWS.

Crosswinds and reduced visibility resulting from blowing sand and dust will also create "potentially hazardous driving conditions" around the Antelope Valley, especially on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and Pearblossom (SR 138) Highway, according to an NWS advisory.

In the Antelope Valley, sustained winds of between 25 and 35 mph are expected Wednesday, along with 60-mph gusts, while in the Santa Clarita Valley the wind is expected to blow at speeds of between 20 and 30 mph and gust at 60 mph.

Winds will sweep through other areas of the Southland but at below advisory levels.

Temperatures, meanwhile, will stay warm Wednesday, with the NWS forecasting highs of 67 in Newport Beach; 71 in Avalon and at LAX; 74 on Mount Wilson; 75 in Anaheim; 78 in downtown L-A; 80 in Long Beach; 81 in San Gabriel; 82 in Burbank; 83 in Pasadena; 87 in Saugus and Lancaster; 88 in Palmdale; and 90 in Woodland Hills.

Temperatures will decline by a few degrees Thursday and again Friday before starting to head in the other direction on Saturday.

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