Gusty Santa Ana winds will continue in most of Riverside County Friday amid dry and unseasonably warm conditions, significantly raising the risk of wildfires.
A red flag warning will be in effect in the Riverside metropolitan area and the Riverside County mountains until 4 p.m. Saturday. The warning had been set to expire Friday afternoon, but forecasters extended it amid predictions of continued gusty winds.
According to the National Weather Service, winds were expected to die down somewhat Friday afternoon before picking up again Saturday.
“The next round of Santa Ana winds will develop Saturday morning, peak Saturday afternoon into Saturday night with strongest gusts to around 45 mph, then diminish Sunday,” according to the NWS. “With humidity remaining quite low Saturday, this has prompted the extension of the red flag warning through 4 p.m. Saturday.”
Winds out of the northeast are expected to be between 15-35 mph Friday, with gusts potentially reaching 40 mph in the the Riverside metropolitan area and 55 mph in the mountains, forecasters said. Winds will be around 15 mph Friday morning in the Coachella Valley, then become light by Friday afternoon
Humidity will drop to between 8-12% Friday throughout the region.
The red flag warning means any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and outdoor burning is not recommended, according to the NWS.
High temperatures Friday are expected to be in the mid-to-high 80s in the valleys and metro area, the mid-80s in the Coachella Valley and the upper 60s to lower 70s in the mountains.
Forecasters said more localized and weaker winds are expected on Saturday and Sunday, then a round of potentially stronger Santa Ana winds is expected Monday through Wednesday.
“Another round of more widespread and stronger northeast winds develops on Monday, peak late Monday night through Tuesday, then slowly subside for Tuesday night and Wednesday,” forecasters said. “Humidity looks higher and is expected to stay above 20 percent. There is also a chance of showers mainly for the mountains and lower deserts.”