Gusty and potentially damaging winds are expected to begin whipping through the San Diego County mountains on Wednesday as a cold front moves into the region.
A National Weather Service wind advisory for the mountains will remain in effect from 2 p.m. until 1 a.m. Thursday. Winds of 20 to 35 miles per hour and gusts up to 60 mph are expected in mountain areas such as Julian and Pine Valley.
"A cold front will move through Southern California today and will bring strong westerly winds to the region," according to the weather service. "Strongest winds will be in the mountains and deserts, particularly on ridge tops, desert slopes and parts of the high deserts this afternoon and evening."
Dust and sand were expected to affect motorists' visibility during the advisory periods, and the gusts may cause minor damage to trees. Airborne objects could also cause damage.
The cold front is also expected to bring cooler and cloudier weather to San Diego County.
High temperatures on Wednesday are expected to range from 67 to 72 degrees at the beaches, where minor tidal overflow is also possible, 69 to 74 degrees in the valleys, 66 to 73 degrees in the mountains 82 to 87 degrees in the deserts. Temperatures are expected to be more than 10 degrees lower in the mountains and deserts Thursday.
Fair and warmer weather is expected to return Friday, forecasters said.
