Santa Ana Winds Bring High Fire Danger and Hot Temperatures to Southern California

Chris Dolce
Published: October 20,2016
Santa Ana winds have returned to Southern California this week, creating an environment conducive to the rapid spread of wildfires. Hot temperatures have also engulfed the area, with highs soaring well into the 90s to near 100 degrees in some spots.
(MORE: Current Temperatures Map)

'Critical' Fire Danger Expected

As is typical during Santa Ana wind events, a strong high-pressure system has built across the interior West. This is sending offshore winds from the northeast through the canyons and passes located in the mountains of Southern California.
(MORE: Kagel Fire Threatens Los Angeles Homes)
When this weather pattern takes shape, it usually results in plummeting relative humidity levels and rising temperatures.
Humidity levels have dropped into the single digits and teens, and will remain extremely low into Thursday in parts of Southern California away from the coast.

Those low humidity levels, in combination with gusty winds and hot temperatures, will make conditions ripe for the potential of rapidly spreading wildfires, should any ignite. Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph are possible at times Thursday, with sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph.
The winds will diminish on Friday, but hot and dry conditions will continue.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles says critical fire danger is expected in some areas through Friday.
Fall is the time of year when Santa Ana winds make a return to Southern California. These wind events are most common between the months of September through March.
Wildfire danger is typically highest in the fall. This is because the vegetation is very dry since Southern California is coming out of its summer dry season.

Highs in the 90s to Near 100 Expected

Forecast Highs

The offshore wind flow and a building high-pressure ridge in the upper atmosphere will send temperatures well into 90s during the second half of this week.
Downtown Los Angeles may see highs in the low 90s through Friday. Although average highs are around 80 degrees this time of year, hotter temperatures well into the 90s and even low 100s can be experienced in October due to Santa Ana winds.
(FORECAST: Los Angeles | Riverside | San Diego)
Interior areas like Ontario and Riverside could see the mercury rise a bit higher into the middle and upper 90s or even 100 degrees.
Farther south, parts of the San Diego area may also see low 90s Thursday.
Cooler conditions will arrive in all of these areas over the weekend.
MORE: Western Wildfires