Strong, potentially damaging winds continue to lash L.A. County

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DWP crews assess damage to a power pole that snapped in half behind a corner shopping mall at the corner of Wilshire and Highland in the mid Wilshire area. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Traffic officer Joe Ceballos secures the scene where a car was crushed by a giant pine tree that fell across Broadway at 27th Street trapping the driver.

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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George Turner takes pictures of a giant pine tree that fell across Broadway at 27th Street in South Los Angeles. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my 50 years,” said Turner.

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Janet Sanchez, left, with her mother Bertha Gutierrez, walk “Luna” in the cold morning at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Students and their parents wearing cold weather gear wait at a bus stop in Santa Ana while a chilly breeze blows through the Southland.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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It’s a cold bicycle ride on Harbor Blvd in Santa Ana while a chilly breeze blows through the Southland.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Homeless for the past eight years, Melissa Barrett uses extra blankets to guard against the cold weather while her homelss friend Theresa Sedillo sleeps at her feet in the Santa Ana Civic Center.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Members of Pasadena City College Cross Country team don’t let the cold stop them from their daily morning workout in Pasadena.

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

By Veronica Rocha

Nov. 17, 2015 9:35 AM PT

Strong winds with damaging gusts of up to 70 mph will continue to whip Southern California on Tuesday, bringing the potential for more downed trees and widespread power outages.

The mountains will receive the most powerful northeast winds, with gusts reaching 70 mph, while winds could hit 50 mph in the valleys and coast in Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service.

“The gusty winds will continue to bring the potential for downed trees and power lines, especially considering the widespread weakened and diseased trees due to the drought,” the weather service said.

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Overnight winds reached 36 mph in Beverly Hills, 49 mph in Topanga and 62 mph at Camp Nine, north of Santa Clarita.

On Monday, winds knocked dozens of trees and power lines across Los Angeles, leaving more than 38,400 homes and businesses without electricity. About 5,300 customers remained without power Tuesday morning, according the L.A. Department of Water and Power.

Winds were clocked at 92 mph in Whitaker Peak, 73 mph in Warm Springs Camp, 71 mph at Saugus, 68 mph in the unincorporated community of Del Valle and 63 in Avalon. Winds reached 68 mph on Santa Barbara Island.

In the Central Valley, severe thunderstorms Sunday produced a tornado in Denair that damaged 21 homes.

The Category 1 tornado -- the weakest on a five-point scale -- uprooted trees, downed power lines and sent debris into homes.

The violent storm traveled roughly three miles along Zeering Road, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

Forecasters say the breezy conditions won’t last long.

By Wednesday, a high pressure system will bring clear skies and warmer temperatures to Southern California. Friday will be the warmest day, with temperatures reaching the 80s.

For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA

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