Brace Yourself: Wind Advisory Issued For Parts Of Region Through Wednesday

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA - San Diego County is in for another bout of strong winds today, although they will be somewhat weaker than on Monday.

Among the peak wind speeds recorded in a 24-hour period ending shortly before 5 a.m. today, were gusts of 93 miles per hour on Mount Laguna; 77 mph on Volcan Mountain; 66 mph in Harrison Park; 60 mph in Ocotillo Wells; 58 mph in Julian; 57 mph in Boulevard and at the Lucky Five Ranch; 53 mph in Borrego Springs; 50 mph in Crestwood and Ranchita; 47 mph in In-Ko-Pah; 45 mph at Lake Cuyamaca and at the Narrows; 44 mph on Palomar Mountain; 40 mph in Campo and on Otay Mountain; 38 mph on Mount Laguna; 37 mph in Wynola; 36 mph on Mount Woodson; 33 mph in Campo, Point Loma and along the Sunrise Highway; and 32 mph in Warner Springs, Santa Ysabel and Coronado, according to the National Weather Service.

A NWS high wind warning for the mountains and deserts expired at 3 a.m., but a less severe wind advisory for the same areas went into effect immediately afterward and is set to extend until 3 a.m. Wednesday. Sustained wind speeds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph will be possible throughout the advisory period.

Gusts in some areas may reach 60 mph this morning, briefly subside then ramp up again during the late afternoon and evening hours, forecasters said.

"A low pressure system centered over the Great Basin will maintain stronger onshore flow through late tonight, though not as strong as Monday afternoon and evening,'' according to the weather service. "Strongest winds are expected along the desert slopes of the Riverside and San Diego county mountains during the late afternoon and evening.''

Forecasters said the winds would kick up sand and dust alongside desert roadways and may be strong enough to down tree limbs.

Difficult travel conditions may be possible along parts of Interstates 8 and 15, and on state Route 78, according to the NWS. Motorists, especially those in high profile vehicles, were urged to use extra caution.

Intermittent light to moderate rain showers are also expected to continue in areas other than the deserts, according to the National Weather Service. Additional rainfall amounts could range from .01 to .30 of an inch near the coast and in the valleys, and up to an inch along the coastal slopes.

In the mountains, the snow level will to drop to around 4,500 feet. Forecasters said a couple inches could accumulate through Wednesday.

--City News Service/Morguefile image