55 MPH Santa Ana Winds Whip SoCal, Power Outages Possible: Timeline

LOS ANGELES, CA — Santa Ana winds battered Southern California on Thursday with gusts reaching up to 55 mph in some areas, triggering driving alerts and power outages advisories.

Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties are under varying wind advisories for Thursday and Friday. Los Angeles County wind advisories were in effect until 12 p.m. Thursday, but the forecast may change. A wind advisory for most of San Bernardino and Riverside counties is in effect until 4 p.m. Friday. In the Coachella Valley, a wind advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

"You definitely want to drive with care, especially through mountain areas in San Bernardino and Riverside counties," forecasters said.

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The gusty west winds will blow around unsecured objects, and tree limbs could be blown down. A few power outages may also occur as a result, according to the National Weather Service.

Gusts were expected to peak at about 55 miles per hour in parts of Los Angeles County, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, La Canada, Glendale and Thousands Oaks, as well as the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, according to the National Weather Service.

Thursday's strong winds also triggered an air quality alert due to particle pollution that could have an adverse impact on health.

"Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of lung infections. Everyone can be affected, but sensitive groups such as people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk," the National Weather Service said.

The National Weather Service advised people to keep their indoor air clean when the air quality is poor by keeping windows and doors closed, running the air conditioner and/or an air purifier, and to not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air if possible. They also advised everyone to avoid sources of pollution, including fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling, and gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.

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