Gusty Winds Forecast for Mountain and Desert Areas

Gusty northwest winds, peaking between 40 and 45 m.p.h., were expected in the mountain and desert regions of the Southland through this afternoon.

“But I really don’t think the winds will be a big factor in our weather,” said meteorologist Dan Bowman of WeatherData Inc., which provides forecasts for The Times.

Bowman said the winds “will push some clouds away and keep skies a little clearer” before they diminish.

That the winds will not trigger fire alerts in brushy areas could be seen in Tuesday’s humidity levels, he said, which were relatively high, in the 52%-71% range.

The winds were caused by an easterly moving low-pressure system over the four-corners area of Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona, Bowman said. The system, he said, was “pulling in ocean air from a high-pressure system over the eastern Pacific.”

The high temperature today was expected to peak near 68 degrees, with tonight’s low about 49 degrees, a normal range for this time of year. Tuesday’s Civic Center high reached 65.

Today’s morning clouds and fog should be largely pushed away by the winds, Bowman said, which will keep the sky clearer and, with more sunshine, help nudge the temperature level to about 70 degrees Thursday.

The National Weather Service’s extended forecast for the weekend shows hazy sunshine and temperatures ranging between the mid-60s and lower 70s. Overnight lows will be between 38 degrees and 50 degrees.

A return of gusty winds, this time from the north-northeast, appears to be in store for mountain and desert areas Friday and Saturday.