Gusty winds were expected across Southern California through Friday, with additional offshore winds possible heading into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.

Los Angeles County is expected to see the strongest winds first, with a high wind warning in effect from 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, through 9 a.m. Thursday, March 5, according to the weather service. Northwest winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph are possible in the eastern and western San Gabriel Mountains and along the 14 Freeway corridor, the agency said.

The winds could move unsecured objects, bring down tree limbs and cause isolated power outages, the weather service said. Gusts could reach 60 mph in parts of the Santa Susana Mountains.

Looking ahead, the next round of winds could be more powerful.

“The next event on Saturday has the potential to be stronger, with 60 to 75 mph winds in the mountains and foothills,” weather service meteorologist Carol Ciliberti said.

In Orange County, winds are expected to strengthen Wednesday, March 4, before shifting direction overnight, according to weather service meteorologist Paul Steward.

“We expect a gradual increase through Wednesday afternoon and evening, but winds could increase a bit more near the coast,” Steward said.

Coastal areas could see winds around 10 to 15 mph Wednesday afternoon, increasing to up to 20 mph as they turn northerly into Thursday. Inland areas are expected to be breezier, with gusts reaching 25 to 30 mph, while the Santa Ana Mountains could see of 45 mph, possibly near 50 mph at the peaks, Steward said.

Across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, northern winds are expected to strengthen Thursday and Friday, March 6, as offshore flow develops, according to meteorologists. Inland valleys and foothill communities could see 20 to 25 mph winds with gusts of 40 mph, with patchy blowing dust possible in parts of Riverside County.

Temperatures across coastal and valley areas are expected to remain mild through Friday, generally reaching the low to mid-70s, though mountain and desert areas could cool somewhat.

Looking ahead to the weekend, offshore winds are expected to continue across Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and could strengthen again Saturday as pressure differences across the region increase, the weather service said. There is also a slight chance of light precipitation from late Saturday night, March 7, through Monday, March 9, mainly across mountain and desert areas, according to preliminary data.