Santa Ana winds diminished across the Southland Thursday, amid cooler temperatures and even some hints of light rain in some areas, allowing a red flag warning of dangerous fire conditions to expire without incident.
The red flag warning of heightened fire danger that took effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday and expired at noon Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service, some mountain areas continued seeing gusting winds early Thursday afternoon but conditions eased later in the day. Forecasters said humidity will also rise thanks to a low-pressure system moving into the area later in the afternoon and evening.
The red flag warning had been in effect in the Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles County Mountains, the Angeles National Forest, the coastal region stretching into downtown Los Angeles and the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.
The bulk of Orange County was also under a red flag warning, which also expired.
Whenever high winds are forecast, Southern California Edison customers in affected areas could potentially have their power temporarily turned off as part of an effort to prevent energized electrical lines damaged by gusts that could possibly spark wildfires.
On Thursday morning, more than 8,000 SCE customers in Los Angeles and Orange counties had no power, but all power was restored by Thursday afternoon.
With a low-pressure system set to arrive later Thursday, forecasters said cooler temperatures will settle over the area, followed by a chance of rain in the Southland be early next week.
“Sunday afternoon through Monday, the first significant storm of the season is expected to bring widespread rain and mountain snow …,” according to the NWS, which indicated most areas would see only a quarter- to three-quarters of an inch of rain, although some mountain areas could get more.
“Light rain and mountain snow should continue into Monday evening, then dry conditions are expected Tuesday and Wednesday as high pressure builds over the region,” forecasters said.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a cold weather alert for the Antelope Valley through Saturday, with overnight temperatures expected to drop below the freezing level.
“Children, the elderly and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during cold weather. Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer. “There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities. We also want to remind people not to use stoves, barbeques or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
Officials also cautioned people in those areas not to leave pets outside at night.