High wind warning for county

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Strong and damaging winds will buffet the valleys and
mountains of San Diego County Tuesday and may linger into Thursday, forecasters
said.

“North to northeast winds will continue to strengthen near the
foothills as an upper-level disturbance intensifies over the desert
southwest,” according to a National Weather Service statement. “The strong
and gusty offshore winds will continue below passes and canyons through Tuesday
evening, and possibly into Thursday evening as surface high pressure continues
to build over the Great Basin.”

The agency issued a high wind warning for the valleys and mountains
until 10 p.m. and a less serious high wind watch for the mountains from late
this evening to Thursday night. A high wind watch is scheduled for the valleys
from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 10 p.m. Thursday.

During Tuesday's high wind warning, sustained northeast winds of 15 to 30
miles per hour gusting to 60 mph are expected. Also possible are occasional
gusts of more than 70 mph through and below passes and canyons, according to
the weather service.

“The winds will make driving difficult, especially for high profile
vehicles,” an NWS advisory said. “Watch for broken tree limbs and downed
power lines.”

In valley areas, strong winds are expected mainly near coastal foothills
from the Ramona and Santa Ysabel area southward, according to NWS forecasters.