Southern California Fire Threat Rises With Santa Ana Winds

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

October 1,2013; 6:09PM,EDT

 

 

The wildfire threat will be on the increase toward the end of the week in Southern California as Santa Ana winds arrive in the region.
It will be a moderate wind event with speeds peaking between 20 and 40 mph Friday night into Saturday morning, AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark said.
It will raise the fire threat Friday into maybe Sunday, Clark said.
Santa Ana winds are a phenomenon that occurs during the fall and winter months in Southern California, Clark said. They are the strongest from October to December.
They are created as the result of high pressure building in the Pacific Northwest and lower pressure along the Southern California coast. A strong pressure gradient sets up, bringing the winds into Southern California.

The winds may be stronger through passes and canyons as they accelerate more than they normally would.
Sparks from downed power lines and the work of arsonists are the main fire threats, especially arsonists, Clark said. Some of the worst fires result from Santa Ana winds because they quickly spread.
There will also be a big temperature jump in the region for the end of the week.
Clark said the Los Angeles and San Diego basin will see temperatures on Thursday in the low to mid-70s. By Saturday, the daytime highs will be in the low to mid-90s.
RELATED:
Southwest Regional Radar
Los Angeles Weather Radar
AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center
The winds are not expected to hamper travel, particularly of high-profile vehicles, through the region. Two potential areas of concern would be the Grapevine, Interstate 5 going into the Central Valley, and Interstate 15 through the Cajon Pass going up toward Las Vega