Strong gusty Santa Ana winds swept the Southland Monday as heavy surf accompanied by perilous rip currents slammed the coastline.
A wind advisory indicating 35-mile-per-hour winds will be in effect until noon in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains and the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys.
Winds of between 20 and 30 mph will blow in the mountains and the Santa Clarita valley while winds of between 15 and 30 mph are expected in the San Fernando Valley, according to National Weather Service forecasters, who said all the areas subject to the wind advisory could experience 50-mph gusts.
Overnight, a 49-mph gust was recorded at Camp Nine in the Los Angeles County portion of the San Gabriels, the NWS reported.
"Strong and gusty winds can make driving difficult, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles. There could be broken tree limbs across the road," according to an NWS advisory. Along the coast, surf of 3-5 feet with some sets of seven feet is expected through this evening, NWS forecasters said, but no high surf advisory was issued for the L.A County coastline.
"Very strong and dangerous rip currents are expected. Inconsistent breakers will inundate previously dry shores and overtop jetties without warning," according to an NWS advisory.
