Santa Ana wind event expected to bring strong gusts to Southern California over Easter weekend

A strong Santa Ana wind event is expected to rattle parts of Southern California over the Easter weekend, with the mountain communities being affected the most.

Friday and Saturday will have the strongest winds across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The National Weather Service has issued wind advisories for parts of the Ventura County mountains and the Interstate 5 Corridor as gusts are expected to reach up to 50 mph.

The advisory will likely be extended through Friday afternoon and the winds will shift and strengthen. Weather officials warn drivers that during peak gusts, conditions on the road could become dangerous. They urge people to watch out for downed tree power lines and other objects that are not properly secured.

CBS LA has also issued a Next Weather Alert for all mountain communities on Friday as winds pick up as the day progresses.

A high wind warning will also be in effect until 6 p.m. for the western San Gabriel mountains, Highway 14 Corridor and western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area. Northeast winds between 25 and 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph are expected to impact those communities.

Temperatures during this period will warm up about 8 to 12 degrees along the coast and valleys and 4 to 8 degrees in the mountains.

The combination of wind and warm weather is not expected to create a high fire, although small brush fires could spark during the weather event.