Southern California Raked By Santa Ana Winds
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gusty Santa Ana winds arrived Tuesday in Southern California, bringing the possibility of a brief return to summer-like temperatures during the first week of winter.
The National Weather Service said the northeast winds were expected to range from 20 mph to 30 mph in canyons, with gusts to about 45 mph.
Mountain winds were predicted to range from as much as 10 mph higher, although a couple of locations recorded significantly higher gusts — 74 mph on Whitaker Peak in Los Angeles County and 65 mph in the Montecito Hills of Santa Barbara County.
The offshore flow was expected to push afternoon highs into the 80s or at least the mid- to upper 70s.
A big change was predicted for Thursday with the arrival of a blustery cold front. Dry weather was expected to continue through the holiday weekend
The Santa Anas followed another phenomenon known as a standing mountain wave that brought northerly gusts into the region early Monday, toppling trees and temporarily knocking out power to more than 1,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles.
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