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'Life-threatening' and 'destructive' windstorm headed to Southern California: What to know

By
Updated  January 6, 2025 1:24pm PST
Severe Weather
FOX 11

'Life-threatening windstorm' headed to SoCal

The NWS said winds will reach "dangerous levels" by Tuesday afternoon, hitting LA and Ventura counties. Meteorologists estimated widespread gusts of 50 to 80 mph, with isolated gusts of 80 to 100 mph across the mountains/foothills possible.

The Brief

    • A windstorm that forecasters described as destructive and life-threatening will develop across SoCal Tuesday morning.
    • Humidity levels are also expected to drop, most notably on Wednesday, creating dry conditions that could amplify the fire danger, the NWS said.
    • Southern California Edison customers in some areas could have their power turned off under the utility's Public Safety Power Shutoffs program.

LOS ANGELES - "Quiet weather" for much of the region Monday will take a quick turn Tuesday as a "life-threatening," "destructive" and "widespread windstorm" will bring extreme fire weather conditions to Southern California.

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According to the National Weather Service, skies will remain mostly clear Monday, with weak onshore winds developing in the afternoon.

Meteorologists called it "the calm before the [wind] storm."

"A dangerous offshore wind event will start to develop tonight," the NWS said in its latest forecast update. "Advisory level northeast winds will develop in the mountains around midnight tonight and then will work their way into the western LA valleys and eastern Ventura valleys and then reaching the western Santa Monica Mountains Malibu area around dawn. Warning level gusts will then become possible during the morning." 

Weather Forecast for Monday, Jan. 6

The latest forecast and air quality conditions for the greater Los Angeles area, including beaches, valleys and desert regions.

The NWS said winds will reach "dangerous levels" by Tuesday afternoon, hitting LA and Ventura counties. Meteorologists estimated widespread gusts of 50 to 80 mph, with isolated gusts of 80 to 100 mph across the mountains/foothills possible.

Areas of concern

  • Highway 118/210 corridors
  • San Gabriel/Santa Monica Mountains and Foothills
  • San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys
  • Pasadena
  • Burbank
  • San Fernando
  • Hollywood
  • Beverly Hills
  • Simi Valley
  • Sylmar
  • Porter Ranch
  • Altadena
  • La Crescenta
  • Malibu

Weather alerts

Red flag warnings of critical fire danger will take effect at 4 a.m. Tuesday and remain in place until 6 p.m. Thursday for the Malibu coast, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors.

At 4 p.m. Tuesday, the warning will extend to include Los Angeles County beaches, the Palos Verdes Hills, Catalina Island and the inland Los Angeles County coast, stretching into downtown Los Angeles.

The red flag warning will be in place from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Antelope Valley and Antelope Valley foothills.

The City of Los Angeles declared a Red Flag Alert with special Red Flag Parking Restrictions beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday and will be in effect for at least 24 hours. During this time, vehicles illegally parked in posted locations within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) will be towed.

The offshore winds will also affect San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, but not as strong, the NWS noted.

As far as temperatures go, it will be cooler for much of the region. 

"Max temps Tuesday will cool 5 to 10 degrees across the board. On Wednesday, there will be much less cold air advection and mass temps will rise by about the same 5 to 10 degrees," the NWS said.

Power shutoffs

Southern California Edison customers in some areas could have their power turned off under the utility's Public Safety Power Shutoffs program.

According to SCE's website, more than 70,000 customers in Los Angeles County and more than 9,400 in Orange County are under consideration for power shutoffs during the upcoming wind event.

Updated information about power shutoffs is available online.

Road closures

Due to the elevated fire danger, Caltrans will close Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway from 10 a.m. Tuesday through 6 p.m. Friday. Only residents and local business traffic will be permitted into the canyon during the closure.

Be prepared

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and monitor the latest forecasts for updated information.

The NWS said there is potential for this latest system to be the strongest wind event of the season, especially for the Southland valleys.

Watch out for downed trees, large tree branches, and downed power lines due to the windstorm.

Residents living near the foothills are advised to review fire safety plans and be prepared to go in the event of evacuations.

The Source: This story was reported with information from the National Weather Service. City News Service contributed.

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