Parts of Southern California will see winds up to 100 mph on Tuesday and “extreme wildfire risk” as Santa Ana winds tear through the region, according to a map created by AccuWeather meteorologists.
Newsweek reached out to AccuWeather by email for comment.
Why It Matters
Santa Ana winds are strong, dangerous winds that blow through from the mountains to the coast of Southern California. Only a month ago, Santa Ana winds spurred the Franklin Fire in Malibu in December that quickly encompassed thousands of acres and endangered countless homes.
What To Know
The map shows that parts of Southern California expecting 50 to 70 mph winds include Santa Clarita, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Hemet. There is a wider spread area of 30 to 50 mph winds that extends to Mohave, Frazier Park, Coachella, San Diego and down to Tijuana in Baja California, Mexico.
Meteorologists are warning that some gusts could reach up to 100 mph, which is equivalent to the strength of a Category 2 hurricane.
The winds are caused by high pressure over the Great Basin and a storm system that is developing in northwestern Mexico. The combined atmospheric conditions will create the environment for Santa Ana winds.
However, this event differs from most Santa Ana events in which the strong winds will reach some usually protected areas, such as downtown Los Angeles and San Diego.
Numerous National Weather Service (NWS) alerts are in place across the region, including a red-flag warning, high-wind warning, high-surf advisory and storm warning.
The winds could lead to planned power outages in an effort to reduce wildfire risk, as any flames that ignite would spread quickly at those wind speeds. Other power outages might occur if the winds damage trees or power lines.
The winds also could impact transportation on important roadways, and major airports throughout Southern California could experience delays.
What People Are Saying
NWS office in Los Angeles wrote in a red flag advisory: “A very strong, widespread, and destructive north to northeast windstorm will bring Extremely Critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and eastern Ventura counties Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday afternoon.”
The advisory added: “Humidities 20 to 30 percent early Tuesday morning, falling to 10 to 20 percent by late Tuesday afternoon/evening. Humidities will potentially fall to single digits in some areas from Wednesday into Friday. If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, including long range spotting, which would threaten life and property. There will be a high risk for widespread downed trees and power lines, as well as widespread power outages.”
What Happens Next
Most red-flag warnings in the area are expected to remain in place through Wednesday afternoon, and until Thursday evenings in some higher-risk areas.
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