Wind gusts topping 70 mph were recorded Monday afternoon as Southern California was buffeted by a major Santa Ana wind event.

The National Weather Service said the high winds were causing dust storms and had created zero-visibility conditions in some desert areas.


In Lancaster, winds were clocked at 70 mph amid a sand storm. In Imperial County, a 73 mph gust was reported.

Scattered power outages were also reported.

A high-wind advisory is in effect across Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, where gusts could peak at 45 mph, said weather service meteorologist Andrew Rorke.


Gusts could climb to 60 mph in the San Fernando Valley foothills and in the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys. Open ridgetops could experience 80 mph to 90 mph winds, Rorke said.

The system will keep the region cooler through Tuesday before warmer weather takes hold Wednesday, pushing temperatures into the lower 80s. Until then, Angelenos can expect a couple of days of cloudy weather in the mid-70s and nights in the 40s and 50s, Rorke said.


High-surf advisories will be in effect until Wednesday, with waves between 7 and 9 feet and peaks up to 11 feet.

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