Strong winds to continue in county through Tuesday night

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The strong winds that have been blowing through San Diego County’s mountains and deserts for the past few days are expected to continue through late Tuesday night.

A National Weather Service wind advisory for the mountains and deserts is set to remain in effect until 3 a.m. Wednesday.

“A low pressure system moving inland into the Northern Rockies will maintain a stronger onshore flow for Southern California through late tonight with periods of locally strong gusty west winds, mainly early this morning, and again for late this afternoon through late tonight,” according to the weather service.

Areas of west winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected with gusts of up to 55 mph along mountain ridge tops and desert slopes, into adjacent desert areas and through passes and canyons. Areas along Interstate 8 in the county’s southeastern reaches could also be affected, forecasters said.

The strong winds could also kick up sand and dust in the deserts, which may reduce visibility to a mile or less. Travel could be affected on stretches of Interstate 15.

Strong cross winds could also make for difficult driving conditions, especially for drivers in high-profile vehicles, according to the NWS.

The winds are expected to weaken Wednesday as the low pressure system moves to the east, forecasters said.