Hundreds of thousands of people across interior Southern California were urged to stay away from windows Thursday as powerful winds tore across the region, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a high wind warning through 9 p.m. PST.
The powerful winds hitting Southern California are part of a broader winter storm sweeping across the state, bringing heavy mountain snow, steady rain at lower elevations and damaging gusts in the south. Higher terrain in the Sierra Nevada and coastal ranges is seeing several inches to feet of snow, while valleys and coastal communities continue to receive widespread rainfall. As the winter storm continues to batter the state, intense winds now impacting the Antelope Valley and interior mountain areas have prompted officials to warn residents to stay indoors, avoid windows and prepare for potential power outages.
The NWS office in Los Angeles issued the high wind warning at 11:09 a.m. PST Thursday. The alert covers the Antelope Valley, Cuyama Valley, interior San Luis Obispo County, the San Luis Obispo County Mountains and the Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains—areas that include Lancaster, Palmdale, Lake Los Angeles and several rural mountain communities.
Officials advised residents to remain in the lower levels of their homes and avoid windows until the worst of the storm passes. Falling branches, wind‑thrown debris and sudden gusts pose a risk to anyone outside or near glass. Forecasters said southwest winds from 25 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching 65, were already hitting some locations by midday. The strongest bursts were expected in the mountains and Antelope Valley, where open terrain can accelerate wind speeds.
One gust was recorded at 72 mph, NWS meteorologist Lisa Phillips told Newsweek.
“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” the warning said. “Widespread power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
Nearly 80,000 people in California were without power on Thursday afternoon, according to a map from poweroutage.us; however, they were concentrated in Northern California and did not appear due to the high winds.
The NWS warned that the winds are strong enough to topple trees and power lines, potentially leading to widespread outages and hazardous conditions on roadways. Travel is likely to be difficult for high‑profile vehicles, especially along exposed stretches of highway.
The warning remains in effect until 9 p.m. PST Thursday, when winds are expected to gradually ease. Emergency officials urged residents to secure outdoor furniture, charge devices and prepare for possible power disruptions through the evening.
Less severe wind advisories encompassed a much broader swath of the state, stretching as far north as Merced and as far south as Palm Springs. These advisories warned of winds from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 45.
The winds are expected to die down Thursday night, Phillips said, and not carry over into Friday.
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