Wind Gusts Slam Venice, LA Coast

VENICE, CA — A high wind warning is in effect through Saturday in Venice, where north winds were forecast to blow anywhere between 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph expected.

The wind advisory is in effect until 3 p.m. Saturday throughout much of Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency warned Friday night that winds in the Santa Clarita Valley could blow loose objects and knock down tree limbs, which may result in power outages. It could also "make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles."

Gusty winds may affect drivers on the Santa Monica (10) and Golden State (5) freeways and Pacific Coast Highway, the weather service said.

The Golden State (5) Freeway, the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and Highway 126 also could be impacted by crosswind gusts, the weather service said.

Areas affected include Santa Clarita, Newhall and Valencia.

The weather service urged people to avoid being outside near trees or branches and "remain on the lower levels of your home during the windstorm" while avoiding windows.

Winds reached 53 mph in Porter Ranch, 45 mph in Van Nuys, 43 in Brentwood, 42 mph in Granada Hills, 40 mph in Venice and the Newhall Pass, 36 at the Santa Monica Airport and 35 mph at Hollywood-Burbank Airport and Marina del Rey Friday night, according to the weather service.

Friday night's lows will be in the mid-40s to mid-50s from the Los Angeles County coast to downtown Los Angeles, the 40s to lower-50s in the San Fernando Valley, the mid-40s to around 50 in the San Gabriel Valley, the mid-to- upper-40s in the Santa Clarita Valley and the 30s to around 40 in the Antelope Valley, according to the weather service.

- City News Service and Patch Editor Nicole Charky contributed to this report.