San Diego, California – Drivers crossing mountain roads east of San Diego could face sudden 70 mph wind gusts by midday Monday, with the strongest blasts targeting exposed ridges and desert-facing slopes through late Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service in San Diego, a High Wind Watch remains in effect from Monday morning through late Monday night for the San Diego County Mountains and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning. Southwest to west winds of 25 to 40 mph are expected, with gusts ranging from 55 to 70 mph. The most intense winds are likely along desert mountain slopes near Julian and Pine Valley and through the I-10 corridor at Banning.
These gusts can topple trees, down power lines and trigger widespread outages. High-profile vehicles traveling along Interstate 8, Interstate 10 and mountain highways may encounter dangerous crosswinds, especially during the afternoon and evening hours.
Residents should secure patio furniture, holiday decorations and trash bins before winds increase. Consider postponing mountain travel during peak gust periods and charge electronic devices in case of outages.
Forecasters warn additional rounds of gusty winds are possible Tuesday night into Wednesday, and stronger advisories may follow if confidence increases.
