Gusty high winds will buffet sections of the Southland Wednesday, and the first frost and freeze events of the season will take place in the Antelope Valley — all as a result of an influx of cold, dry air, forecasters said.
The National Weather Service also warned of “critical fire weather” in parts of Los Angeles County Thursday and Friday because of high winds and low humidity — between 8 and 15 percent.
A fire weather watch will be in force from Thursday morning through Friday afternoon in the San Gabriel Mountains in L.A. and Ventura counties, the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, and the Los Angeles County coastal zone, which includes beach cities, metropolitan Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills
“If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior, which would threaten life and property,” warned an NWS statement.
Off the coast, a small craft advisory will be in effect until this afternoon because of high seas, and a gale warning will be in effect from this afternoon until early Thursday.
A wind advisory will be in effect until 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Antelope Valley. In the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, a wind advisory will be in force from 1 p.m. Wednesday until 2 p.m. Thursday. The wind in these two areas are forecast to blow at between 20 and 35 miles per hour, gusting to 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
High winds could have an impact on traffic on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and Pearblossom (SR 138) Highway, the NWS said. Gusty winds could be a problem, especially for high-profile vehicles, and blowing sand and dust could restrict visibility.
In the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area and the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, a wind advisory will be in effect from 5 p.m. Wednesday until 2 p.m. Thursday. And in the L.A. County coastal zone — it includes beach cities, metropolitan Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills — a wind advisory will take effect at 8 p.m. Wednesday and last until 2 p.m. Thursday. The wind is expected to blow in these areas at between 15 and 30 mph, gusting to 45 mph.
The season’s first frost and freeze events are expected tonight in the Antelope Valley and, to the north, in San Luis Obispo County, according to the NWS. And an even more serious freeze event may occur Thursday night, when temperatures could dip into the 20s, followed by more sub-freezing temperatures Friday night.
A frost advisory will be in effect in the Antelope Valley from 3 to 9 Thursday morning, and a hard freeze watch will be in force from late Thursday night through Friday morning.
“Frost can damage sensitive plants and harm pets,” warned an NWS statement. “A hard freeze can kill crops and sensitive vegetation and harm outdoor pets and livestock. Extended exposure to cold can cause hypothermia.”
A hard freeze watch means temperatures of 28 degrees or less are expected for two or more consecutive hours.
The NWS forecast partly cloudy skies Wednesday and highs of 59 in Lancaster; 60 in Palmdale; 64 on Mount Wilson; 67 at LAX; 68 in Saugus; 69 in Avalon, Long Beach, San Gabriel and downtown L.A.; 70 in Burbank; 71 in Pasadena; and 74 in Woodland Hills. A gradual warming trend will begin Thursday, when temperatures will rise a few degrees amid bright sunshine. Temperatures will revert to the 80s in some communities Friday before falling anew Saturday.
Partly cloudy skies are also forecast in Orange County Wednesday, along with highs of 68 in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and San Clemente; 69 in Mission Viejo; 70 in Anaheim and Yorba Linda; and 71 in Irvine and Fullerton. Temperatures will rise by a few degrees Thursday and by several more Friday before retreating slightly Saturday.
