More winds headed for Southland, gusts up to 70 mph in some areas

Another round of potentially damaging winds was forecast to blow into the Inland Empire late Tuesday, again testing the resolve of trees' roots until midday Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

“Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines, especially near the foothills of the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains in the Inland Empire. Lightweight unsecured outdoor objects (may be) blown away. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles,” the weather service said in its high-wind warning.

Winds from the north at 25 to 35 mph are expected, along with gusts of 50 to 60 mph that could reach 70 mph or faster today in wind-prone canyons and San Bernardino Mountains foothills.

The Santa Ana Mountains and foothills also were included in the high-wind warning.

Lighter winds were expected in Los Angeles County, where a high-wind advisory was issued for the same period because of forecasted winds from the northeast at 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. The strongest winds are expected from Malibu to the Hollywood Hills.

Residents of forested areas were warned about being outside and motorists were urged to use caution.

A ridge of high pressure settling over the northern tier of the Great Basin in Nevada and Utah will be the engine behind the Santa Ana winds. But the weather won't be that hot.

High temperatures in Southern California valleys will be in the low 60s through Thursday with peak temperatures in the low- to mid-70s over the weekend. Lows will generally be in the low 40s.

Two Santa Ana wind events whipped the region in January, uprooting trees that crashed onto cars and homes and knocking out electricity to some areas.