Orange County Weather: Windy, High UV Levels

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —Sunny days and swirling winds started the week. The wind blew across portions of the Southland Monday, producing gusts of up to 60 miles per hour and potentially create challenges for drivers, National Weather Service forecasters said.

A wind advisory indicating an expectation of 35-mph winds will be in effect from 9 a.m. Monday until 5 a.m. Tuesday in the L.A. County portion of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley. Winds of 20-35 mph are expected, along with gusts of 30-50 mph, and isolated 60-mph gusts are possible this afternoon in the hills near Lake Palmdale, according to an NWS statement.

"Cross winds can make driving difficult, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles and vehicles towing trailers. Areas of blowing dust can suddenly and dangerously reduce visibilities to near zero," warned the statement.

A wind advisory was in effect from noon until 10 p.m. Monday in L-A County beach cities, metropolitan Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills, Santa Catalina Island and the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. Winds of 15-25 mph will sweep those areas and be accompanied by 40 mph gusts this afternoon and evening, according to NWS.

The NWS forecast partly cloudy skies Monday and highs of 49 degrees on Mount Wilson; 58 in Lancaster; 60 in Palmdale and Saugus; 62 at LAX; 64 in Avalon, Pasadena, San Gabriel and Burbank; 65 in Downtown L.A and Long Beach; and 66 in Woodland Hills.

A combination of sunny and partly cloudy skies was forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 60 in San Clemente; 61 in Laguna Beach; 62 in Newport Beach; 63 in Mission Viejo; 65 in Anaheim and Irvine; and 66 in Fullerton and Yorba Linda.

Temperatures will rise by up to nine degrees Tuesday under sunny skies.

Put on that sunscreen, as Tuesday's ultraviolet index level in the Orange County and Los Angeles area will be 8, according to the National Weather Service. The reading indicates what the UV exposure is expected to be at noon, when the sun's rays are at their strongest.

A reading of 0-2 indicates a minimal exposure level, and very fair skinned people could become sunburned in 30 minutes if not properly protected.

A reading of 3-4 is considered a low exposure level, reducing the danger range for those with fair complexions to 15-20 minutes if not protected.

A moderate exposure level of 5-6 indicates that a person with a fair complexion could be safe from sun burn for 10-12 minutes, unless protected.

A high exposure level reading of 7-9 means that a person could be sunburned in 7-8 minutes.

A very high exposure level reading of 10, or greater, means a fair skinned person could suffer a sunburn in about four minutes if not protected.

Ultraviolet radiation is blamed for a host of health problems, including skin cancer and cataracts.

4-day Forecast for Orange County

Today, breezy this evening.

Tuesday April 17

Clear throughout the day. High 73, low 51.
Chance of precipitation: 11%. Wind 6 mph from the W

Wednesday April 18

Partly cloudy overnight. High 73, low 53.
Chance of precipitation: 8%. Wind 4 mph from the SW

Thursday April 19

Partly cloudy in the morning. High 68, low 52.
Chance of precipitation: 14%. Wind 9 mph from the W

Friday April 20

Clear throughout the day. High 76, low 50.
Chance of precipitation: 0%. Wind 3 mph from the S
Data provided by darksky.net.