'Freakishly Powerful Winds' To Ease In Southern California, Utah

The worst is over in Utah, where winds that topped 100 mph Thursday toppled trucks trees and power lines.

And things should be calmer in Southern California too, where "freakishly powerful winds" on Thursday stunned people and left behind shredded rooftops and "yards littered with downed trees," as the Los Angeles Times says.

Still, our colleagues at KPCC say power remains out for thousands of customers in Southern California and that "it's not clear that the winds won't pick up again later." Then there's the danger of wind-whipped wildfires: "The combination of high winds and low humidity has also triggered a red flag warning, denoting wildfire conditions, also effective until Friday night."

Indeed, the National Weather Service says "a cold low pressure system over Arizona will continue to generate strong north to northeast offshore winds over most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Friday. These winds will also help to lower humidity readings tonight and Friday. ... A fire weather watch is now in effect."

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