LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — Powerful Santa Ana winds are sweeping across Southern California, and the National Weather Service has issued High Wind Alerts through Sunday, warning conditions may be hazardous for truck drivers and other high-profile vehicles, especially on Interstate 5 through the Grapevine and other wind-prone mountain corridors.

While last year’s similar wind pattern was tied to wildfire danger, recent record rainfall has saturated soils, making a weather-driven wildfire threat virtually nonexistent. However, saturated ground can increase other hazards, including trees and power poles falling, which can trigger sporadic or widespread power outages and roadway disruptions.

One example occurred in the Inland Empire: in Fontana, strong winds were cited as a possible factor when a semi tractor-trailer tipped over on I-15 southbound near the Sierra Avenue exit at about 8:36 p.m. on January 8, 2026. A heavy-duty tow truck helped move the semi so traffic could pass, and recovery operations began. No injuries were reported.

The threat extends beyond that rollover. A high-wind warning is in effect until 1 p.m. Sunday for areas known for severe crosswinds for big rigs, including the Santa Susana Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, Oat Mountain, Mount Wilson, Mount Baldy, the Highway 14 corridor, Angeles Crest Highway, and the communities of Wrightwood, Mill Creek, Acton, and Warm Springs. Forecasts call for northeast winds 25–40 miles per hour with gusts up to 70 miles per hour, creating blowover risk for empty or lightly loaded trailers and making lane control difficult.

High winds also caused other truck-related impacts: officials said a tractor-trailer was pushed over on I-5 southbound near Pyramid Lake on Thursday, snarling traffic for several miles. The National Weather Service said travel can become difficult quickly during these events, and truck drivers should use extra caution in exposed stretches and canyon corridors.

A wind advisory remains in effect until 1 p.m. Sunday for the San Bernardino and Riverside county valleys, the Inland Empire, and cities including Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, San Bernardino, and Ontario. In those areas, winds are expected at 15–25 miles per hour, with gusts 35–45 miles per hour and local gusts up to 55 miles per hour possible below the Cajon Pass. Drivers are also warned about blowing debris and the potential for outages if lines come down.

For truck drivers, the main risks are crosswinds, blowovers, debris, sudden lane-blocking incidents, and power-line/pole issues, especially along I-5 and I-15 and other exposed corridors during the Santa Ana wind event.

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