LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service in Sacramento issued a wind advisory for Lake County on Tuesday in preparation for a storm that’s expected to bring high winds to the area.

The advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Forecasters are predicting the storm – scheduled to hit Northern and Central California through Friday – will bring to Lake County northerly winds from 25 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 55 miles per hour.

Winds are predicted to start Wednesday morning, decreasing that night and then becoming windy again on Thursday.

Temperatures through the end of the week are expected to be in the 50s during the daytime, dropping into the 30s at night, the National Weather Service reported.

The high winds could cause difficulty for drivers, especially those driving high profile vehicles, and are raising concerns for the potential for falling trees, downed power poles and interrupted power service.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is urging people to assume that any downed power is “live” or carrying electric current. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-PGE-5000.

PG&E also suggests keeping battery-operated radios with fresh batteries ready for updates on storm conditions and power outages, and battery-operated flashlights, cell phones or hard-wire, single-line telephones on hand in the event of outages.

If you have a generator, inform PG&E and do not use it unless it is installed safely and properly, the company advised.

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