Strong Winds Forecast Until Christmas Eve

Strong winds today and Tuesday in the Valley will calm by Christmas Eve, a weather forecaster said.

Sustained winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph through the canyons and passes are expected today, with sunny skies and cooler temperatures. Highs are expected to reach the upper 50s.

The high in Burbank and Van Nuys is expected to be 58, while Woodland Hills and Chatsworth should see 59. Overnight lows are expected to be 41 in Woodland Hills, 42 in Chatsworth and Burbank and 43 in Van Nuys.

A high-pressure system over the Great Basin area of northern Utah and Idaho coupled with a storm system over northern Mexico is responsible for the strong winds, said John Sherwin, a meteorologist with WeatherData Inc., which provides forecast information to The Times.

Sunny skies with sustained wind speeds of 15 to 25 mph with 40-mph gusts are expected Tuesday. Highs will be in the upper 50s to low 60s with lows from the mid 30s to low 40s.

Christmas Eve will show little evidence of the windy conditions of today and Tuesday, with mostly sunny skies and some increasing clouds late in the day, Sherman said. High temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid-60s with lows in the mid- to low 40s.

Variable clouds with a chance for morning showers are forecast for Christmas Day. Highs will be in the upper 50s to low 60s and lows will be in the low to mid-40s.

Friday should see scattered clouds in the morning that will give way to sunny skies by the afternoon with highs in the low 60s.