Strong winds hit inland San Diego before the week ends

San Diego’s eastern neighborhoods will face gusty winds through Thursday at 11 a. m. Forecasters expect speeds of 35 to 45 mph, with occasional bursts up to 55 mph near Interstate 8 past Alpine. The National Weather Service issued the advisory specifically for areas east of Interstate 15. While temperatures stay a little cooler than usual, drivers need to be careful especially when handling trucks or trailers on open roads.Unsecured items outdoors could be tossed around by the wind. Lightweight furniture, patio umbrellas, or even loose trash bins might become projectiles if not secured. Branches on weaker trees might snap off, and a few power failures could happen where poles or lines are vulnerable. Still, the risk of wildfires remains low during this wind event. Meteorologists noted that Santa Ana winds like these often arrive in late fall or early winter. They dry out the air while increasing speeds through mountain passes. Compared with summer’s fire season, these winds come with less vegetation moisture, yet conditions this time don’t favor large blazes due to earlier rains and lower temperatures.