Last week’s rain won’t be the end of Southern California’s wild weather as strong wind gusts are forecast through the area until Tuesday, with the strongest gusts blowing through the area Monday morning.
Gusts of up to 85 mph are expected in mountains and valleys throughout the region, with the National Weather Service warning that power outages are possible and that residents should keep an eye out for downed trees and power lines.
“Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” according to an alert issued by the National Weather Service.
The recent storms that drenched Southern California and soaked the soil could also “increase the likelihood of damage” caused by downed trees and power lines, the agency noted.
On Sunday, the National Weather Service predicted winds of up to 65 mph across the region but, by Monday, updated its forecast with what could be significantly stronger winds, with gusts between 55 and 85 mph.
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph could hit the beaches between Ventura and Santa Monica, as well.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory Sunday, warning that the western Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains and the Interstate 5 and Highway 14 corridors could see strong winds until Monday afternoon.
By Monday morning, winds in the mountain areas were already reaching speeds of up to 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service. In the Santa Susana Mountains, one station recorded wind speeds of 71 and 74 mph. Gusts there could reach up to 85 mph by Tuesday, according to the weather service’s advisory.
A similar alert for strong gusts was issued by the weather service for the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountain and valley regions, as well as the Santa Ana Mountains, where strong winds could linger until Tuesday afternoon.
In San Bernardino and Riverside County valleys, wind speeds between 45 and 60 mph were already recorded by Monday morning.
The high-wind advisory is expected to remain in effect until 1 p.m. Tuesday.
The high-wind alerts come after the region was drenched for days, causing debris flows that washed through homes in Wrightwood. At least three people were killed in storm-related deaths, including a man in San Diego who was struck by a falling tree. In Boyle Heights, a rare tornado touched down on Christmas morning.
More rain is expected this week, including the possibility of rain on New Year’s Day.