Los Angeles — Forecasters have issued dire warnings for the Los Angeles area, citing the potential for the strongest wind event in more than a decade.
“A life-threatening, destructive, widespread windstorm is expected Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning,” Los Angeles forecasters from the National Weather Service said.
Damaging winds are expected across the majority of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, leading to widespread power outages.
HEADS UP!!! A LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE, Widespread Windstorm is expected Tue afternoon-Weds morning across much of Ventura/LA Co. Areas not typically windy will be impacted. See graphic for areas of greatest concern. Stay indoors, away from windows, expect poweroutages. #LA pic.twitter.com/yl83LxeMEc
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 6, 2025
The strongest winds will blow through Southern California from Tuesday evening to Wednesday afternoon, with gusts reaching nearly 80 mph. Wind gusts of 80-100 mph are expected in isolated areas of the mountains and foothills.
Flights in and out of LAX may experience delays as forecasters warn of “quite dangerous” mountain waves for pilots. Airlines and pilots are advised not to fly near terrain during the windstorm.
The widespread damaging winds and low humidity are also raising serious fire concerns throughout most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
NWS Los Angeles stated that due to the severity, they anticipate issuing Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Fire Weather Warnings.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles stated that Tuesday’s windstorm has the potential to be the strongest since 2011. The 2011 windstorm uprooted trees, downed power lines, and knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of customers.
While winds are expected to subside by Wednesday evening, a renewed threat of strong winds will return to the region on Friday.