The National Weather Service has issued a warning for a potentially life-threatening and destructive windstorm set to impact California over the next two days. The weather service anticipates widespread damaging winds across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, with areas that are not typically windy also being affected. The areas of Pasadena, Burbank, San Fernando, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Simi Valley, Sylmar, Porter Ranch, Altadena, La Crescenta, Malibu, Santa Gabriel, Santa Susana, Santa Monica Mountains & Foothills, San Gabriel Valleys, and San Fernando Valleys are of particular concern for the most destructive winds.
Further expanding the warning, the NWS office in the Bay Area has included the North Bay Interior Valleys and Coast, San Francisco, the San Francisco Bayshore, and the East Bay Interior Valleys in a wind advisory. Residents in these areas should expect northerly to northeasterly winds of 20-30 mph with gusts reaching 40-50 mph until 10 a.m. Wednesday. The weather service advises securing outdoor objects and being vigilant for downed trees and potential power outages.
In addition to the windstorm, extreme fire conditions are also a significant concern for most of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The NWS warns of widespread damaging winds and low humidities that could lead to rapidly growing fires with extreme behavior. Wind gusts between 50-80 mph, with isolated gusts between 80-100 mph in mountainous regions, are expected. Power outages are likely, and residents are urged to exercise caution with any potential fire ignition sources.
The NWS caution comes amidst a severe winter storm affecting the Mid-Atlantic region, with the Midwest and Northeast under winter storm advisories. The storm has caused power outages and traffic disruptions, prompting warnings for drivers to avoid snow-packed roads in states from Kansas to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Stay informed and prepared for severe weather conditions.
The snow is expected to keep much of the eastern half of the U.S. in a deep freeze through the rest of the week. This story has been updated to include new information.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Follow him on Twitter @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Windstorm in California: NWS sends warning for LA, Bay areas.
