Heat wave: Temps to approach record-breaking territory in SoCal

LOS ANGELES - Strong winds will blow across the San Gabriel Mountains Wednesday amid a warming trend that will send highs to the 90s later this week, forecasters said.

"We'll be flirting with record highs," said National Weather Service meteorologist Kristen Stewart early this morning, attributing the heat to a ridge of high pressure above the region and predicting the winds will turn into Santa Anas Friday and Saturday.

A wind advisory issued by the NWS will be in effect in the San Gabriel Mountains until 9 p.m., followed by a more serious high wind watch from this evening through Thursday afternoon.

While the wind advisory is in force, the mountains will be swept by north winds of 20-30 miles per hour punctuated by 50-mph gusts and occasionally gusts of 60 mph, the NWS said. When the high wind watch takes effect, we can expect winds of 25-40 mph with 65-mph gusts.

The strongest winds are expected through the Interstate 5 Corridor, according to an NWS statement. "Damaging winds could blow down large objects such as trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles."

The NWS warned that roadways that may be affected by gusty crosswinds include Highway 33 in Ventura County as well as Interstate 5 and Highway 14 -- the Antelope Valley Freeway -- in Los Angeles County.

Highs Wednesday will be in the 70s and 80s in L.A and Orange counties and climb to the low to mid 90s Friday, according to NWS forecasts.

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