Forecasters say a “life-threatening” and “destructive” windstorm is about to impact Southern California, bringing significant fire danger along with it, according to Los Angeles National Weather Service.
High wind warnings are in effect ahead of the “widespread” wind event, which begins on Tuesday, Jan. 7, according to the NWS.
The peak period for high winds is expected to last from 12 p.m. local time on Tuesday to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8, forecasters with NWS Los Angeles said.
Los Angeles and Ventura Counties will see N-NE wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph, with isolated gusts up to 80 to 100 mph predicted in the mountains and foothills.
Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties will see north to northeast gusts between 20 and 40 mph, with isolated gusts of 40 to 50 mph.
These “could be the strongest north winds” the area has seen since the wind event in November and December 2011, according to forecasters.
The 2011 storm caused significant damage to Pasadena, Altadena and other San Gabriel Valley neighborhoods and left more than 400,000 people without power for days, as reported by The Los Angeles Times.
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The high winds will also help create a “dangerous fire weather situation,” which forecasters believe could lead to a “high probability of fire ignition sources and rapid spread” of any blaze that may be sparked.
“This is a Particularly Dangerous Situation,” forecasters said on NWS Los Angeles’ page on Xadding “this is about as bad as it gets in terms of fire weather.”
Power outages resulting from the major wind event “could last several hours or days,” according to forecasters.
Locals should expect “many downed trees and powerlines,” as well as “localized damage to structures and vehicles,” forecasters said.
The high winds are also expected to trigger “significant airport delays and turbulence” around Southern California.
Forecasters are warning locals to “stay aware of your surroundings” and “be ready to evacuate, especially if in a high fire risk area.”
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