By Jim Purpura. Posted December 5, 2011, 8:07 AM.

An area of cold high pressure is located at the surface over the Great Basin. North and northeast winds aloft on the back side of a trough of low pressure are helping to push this cold air into southern California. Winds across northern Riverside and southwest San Bernardino Counties will gust to 35 mph to 40 mph. Near and in the Cajon Pass, and other north to south oriented passes, winds may gust to 50 mph.

The Simi Valley area will also see strong winds today gusting to 50 mph in the valley areas, with 55 mph + on some of the ridgetops.

Southern portions of the Inland Empire, and north San Diego County, will see a bit lighter winds, with max gusts from 25 to 35 mph.

Since these winds are associated with the movement of heavy, dense, cold air, the strongest winds are generally from the early morning through early afternoon hours.

The winds will return again Tuesday morning, and in some places Wednesday morning, but not quite as strong as today.