Strong Gusts Return to High Desert

Gusts around 60 mph are likely in Lancaster and other high desert communities

Strong gusts returned Wednesday in the high desert north of Los Angeles and mountain areas after a day of damaging winds.

Winds knocked over big rigs, tore roofs off buildings and downed power lines Tuesday in the Antelope Valley.

Gusts up to 60 mph are expected Wednesday near Lancaster and other northern Los Angeles County communities. Wind warnings and wind advisories are in effect until noon Wednesday.

Farther north in the desert town of Mojave, big rigs were blown onto their sides and a metal roof was ripped off a building near the airport. At one point, the California Highway Patrol counted more than a dozen toppled vehicles, said Officer Scott Wyatt of the Mojave office.

Gusts reached 85 mph Tuesday in the community about 95 miles north of Los Angeles.

Rain that drenched Southern California over the past couple days is expected to ease. Another storm system is expected to arrive late Thursday, which may bring a white Christmas in some communities above 4,000 feet.

Thursday's storm system will bring isolated rain and snow. Drivers in mountain passes, such as the 5 Freeway north of Los Angeles, might face slippery road conditions.

The system will move out by Christmas morning.

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