Red flag warnings will be back in effect in Los Angeles County this weekend following a brief respite on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
The renewed warnings comes just after the end of a 12-day red flag advisory, the longest in California history.
The advisories warn of gusty Santa Ana winds combined with very low humidity levels … prime conditions for a fire, officials said.
The previous warnings expired at 10 a.m. Friday in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains, the Angeles National Forest, the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, beach cities, metropolitan Los Angeles, Downtown L.A., and the Hollywood Hills.
But forecasters said critical fire weather will continue into the weekend, with more gusting winds and low humidity.
Another red flag warning will be in effect from 1 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Los Angeles County Mountains, Angeles National Forest, the Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley and coastal areas stretching into downtown Los Angeles. The warning will also be in place in Ventura County, where firefighters continue to battle the deadly Thomas Fire.
A red flag warning will also be in effect from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday in Orange County coastal areas, where winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph are forecast, with gusts up to 35 mph, and humidity levels hovering around 15 percent.
A red flag warning will be in effect from 2 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday in Santa Barbara County.
Northeast winds of 15 to 30 mph have been blowing in L.A. County areas, gusting at up to 55 mph amid humidity levels as low as 4-10 percent.
The winds diminished Friday morning and the earlier wind advisories were allowed to expire. But the gusts are expected to pick up again Saturday evening, said the NWS, which forecast a slight improvement in humidity levels to between 10-15 percent on Sunday.
Forecasters said the area will experience a northeastern flow by Saturday evening, “with a threat of increased Santa Ana winds and low humidities … into Sunday when gusts between 35 and 55 mph will be likely.”
—City News Service