Expect Wind Gusts in Foothills

High winds will buffet Southern California over a three-day period starting today, likely creating hazardous road conditions, National Weather Service forecasters said.

In Los Angeles County, the strongest winds are expected in the San Gabriel Mountains above, as well as the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys, they said.

Northwest winds of between 20 and 30 mph gusting to 50 mph are expected in the mountains today, increasing to between 25 and 40 mph, with 60-mph gusts, tonight through Thursday, according to an NWS advisory.

Isolated 75-mph gusts are possible around The Grapevine, where driving on Interstate 5 could prove difficult, especially in high-profile vehicles, according to the weather service. A wind advisory denoting an expectation of sustained winds of 35 mph or grater will be in effect in the mountains until 6 p.m., when it will be replaced by a more serious high wind warning scheduled to remain in force until 9 a.m. Thursday. A high wind warning is issued when forecasters expect sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph and gusts of at least 58 mph.

In the Antelope Valley, a wind advisory will be in force until 1 p.m., when it will give way to a high wind warning scheduled to remain in effect until 3 a.m. Thursday. Forecasters said 20-30-mph winds are expected to blow across the Antelope Valley this morning, gusting to 45 mph, then increase to between 25 and 35 mph with gusts of 60 mph this afternoon through early Thursday.

Crosswinds and reduced visibility resulting from blowing sand and dust will 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 Santa Clarita Valley, northwest winds of between 20 and 30 mph gusting to 45 mph are expected from this evening through early Wednesday, according to the NWS, which issued a wind advisory scheduled to be in effect from 7 p.m. today until  3 a.m. Wednesday.

Highs today will be in the 70s along the coast, the 80s further inland and the low 90s in the valleys.