Hanford, CA – Strong winds are expected to sweep through the Mojave Slopes starting tonight, prompting a Wind Advisory for much of the region through 5 a.m. Friday. Drivers along major travel corridors should prepare for hazardous crosswinds and reduced visibility.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, sustained winds between 20 to 30 mph are forecast, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph due to a low-pressure trough moving south into the Great Basin. The downslope wind pattern from the Tehachapi Mountains is expected to intensify wind speeds across the Mojave Desert and adjacent slopes.
Impacted areas include travel routes along California Highways 14, 58, and 178, as well as U.S. Highway 395. Cities and communities such as Mojave, Red Rock Canyon, and Cache Creek are likely to experience the brunt of the gusts during peak evening and overnight hours.
Officials advise high-profile vehicles to avoid travel during the advisory, particularly through mountain passes and open desert stretches. Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items and stay alert for power outages or sudden road hazards caused by blowing debris.
Winds are expected to subside by sunrise Friday, though residual gusts may linger in higher elevations.
