A red flag warning signifying a high risk of wildfire will be in force in much of the Southland Thursday, the first day of winter, because of strong and gusty Santa Ana winds lashing the region amid low humidity.
In Los Angeles County, the warning will be in force from 6 Thursday morning until 10 Friday morning in the San Gabriel Mountains, the Angeles National Forest, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, beach cities, metropolitan Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills. Red flag warnings will also be in effect in large areas of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The strongest winds will blow in the San Gabriel mountains — 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts of up to 60 mph, according to the NWS. In the other areas under warning, including both the Santa Monicas and the city of Los
Angeles, winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected, along with gusts of up to 45 mph.
In all cases, the winds will coincide with humidity levels of between 8 and 15 percent.
A wind advisory indicating 35 mph wind or gusts will be in effect until 3 p.m. in the San Gabriels but expire at 10 a.m. in the other L.A. County areas under red flag warning.
”Gusty winds will make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” warned an NWS statement, indicating most freeways in the region will be affected. ”When driving, use extra caution. Be prepared for sudden
gusty cross winds.”
The NWS forecast sunny skies in Los Angeles County today and highs of 47 degrees on Mt. Wilson; 50 in Lancaster; 51 in Palmdale; 56 in Saugus; 59 in Avalon; 62 in Woodland Hills; 63 in Pasadena and Burbank; 64 in San Gabriel; 66 in Downtown L.A.; 67 at LAX; and 68 in Long Beach.
Sunny skies were also forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 63 in Laguna Beach and Yorba Linda; 64 in San Clemente and Mission Viejo; 65 in Fullerton and Irvine; and 66 in Newport Beach and Anaheim.
These temperatures are 3 to 6 degrees below normal, said NWS meteorologist Dave Bruno. Friday’s temperatures — again under sunny skies –will be the same as today’s in some communities and up to 10 degrees higher in
others.
—City News Service