A dangerous windstorm is expected to blow through Ventura and Los Angeles Counties in Southern California this week, according to forecasters.
“HEADS UP!!!” the National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles said in all capital letters with a post to X on Monday warning of the potential tempest.
“A LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE, Widespread Windstorm is expected [Tuesday] afternoon-[Wednesday] morning across much of Ventura/LA Co,” it added.
Here are potential impacts for the upcoming strong winds Tuesday through Wednesday. Here's what you can do to prepare to help minimize impacts! #CAwx #SoCal #LA #LAwind #LosAngeles #VenturaCounty pic.twitter.com/CIHdZo3AC5
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 6, 2025
Areas that are not “typically windy will be impacted,” NWS Los Angeles said, advising people to “stay indoors, away from windows” and to anticipate power outages.
Locations of “greatest concern” in which people were urged to take “immediate action” included Simi Valley, San Fernando, Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Monica.
One account on X asked what the difference is between a typical Santa Ana winds event and the extreme weather that was in the forecast.
Santa Ana winds are “[h]igh-speed and dangerous winds that periodically kick up and blow from the mountains to the coast in Southern California,” per AccuWeather.
“The wind direction of this event is more from the N-NE rather than typical NE-E Santa Ana’s,” NWS Los Angeles said in reply to the question.
“This means the strongest wind corridors shift more east & focus over more of LA Co. than is typical (including San Gabriel foothills) rather than the Ventura Coast,” it added.
Possible impacts include downed trees, fast-moving wildfires due to dry conditions, “knocked over” big rigs and motorhomes, airport delays, and dangerous sea conditions.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) issued a weather advisory for what it said was an expected “severe wind storm” to impact parts of Los Angeles.
“Traveling may be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Remain in lower levels of your home and away from windows. Use caution if you must drive,” it said.
“Report downed trees to 311 and downed power lines to 911,” LADOT added. “Sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyLA.org.”
Los Angeles declared a “Red Flag Alert” with parking restrictions lasting at least 24 hours, starting at 8 a.m. local time on Tuesday, the city’s fire department said.
Here's a little more details on the upcoming wind event. The strongest wind areas of LA and Ventura Counties will see widespread N-NE wind gusts of 50-80 mph, with isolated gusts up to 80-100 mph in the mountains and foothills. #SoCal #CAwx #LAwind pic.twitter.com/swzlRX2G99
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 6, 2025
In other posts, NWS Los Angeles said gusts of 50 to 80 miles per hour (mph) were possible, and isolated gusts of 80 to 100 mph across the mountains and foothills.
The coming windstorm may be the “strongest event” since one in 2011 in which Pasadena was “specifically hit hard,” NWS Los Angeles said, and likely more widespread.
