Strong winds blowing through Southern California; rain coming next week

LOS ANGELES — Strong winds will blow across Southern California Friday and Saturday, forecasters said.

North-to-northeast winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts of around 50 mph will blow through the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains and the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, said the National Weather Service. Weaker winds — around 15-25 mph with 35-40-mph gusts — are expected along the coast, in beach cities, metropolitan L.A, downtown L.A., the Hollywood Hills and inland Orange County.

A wind advisory issued by the National Weather Service will be in effect until 1 p.m. Saturday in all the high-wind areas.

The NWS said gusty winds will make driving difficult on several roads, including Interstate 5, the 14 Freeway, Highway 126, the 101, 118, 10, 105, 110, 405 and 605 freeways and Pacific Coast Highway.

“When driving, use extra caution. Be prepared for sudden gusty cross winds,” urged an NWS statement.

Sunny skies were forecast in L.A. County Friday, along with highs of 54 on Mount Wilson; 64 in Palmdale and Lancaster; 66 in Avalon; 70 in Santa Clarita; 74 in Woodland Hills, San Pedro and Northridge; 75 in Burbank, Van Nuys and at LAX; 76 in North Hollywood, Pasadena and Torrance; 77 in San Gabriel, West Covina, Long Beach and downtown L.A.; and 78 in Whittier. Sunny weather and warm temperatures are expected until Wednesday, when at least two days of rain will begin.

Sunny weather was also forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 49 on Santiago Peak; 63 on Ortega Highway at 2,600 feet; 68 in San Clemente; 69 in Fremont Canyon; 70 in Trabuco Canyon; 71 in Laguna Beach; 73 in Newport Beach and Yorba Linda; 75 in Anaheim and Mission Viejo; and 76 in Santa Ana, Fullerton and Irvine. Sunny skies will prevail until rain starts Wednesday.