A wind advisory for much of Riverside County was extended to at least 2 p.m. Monday as Santa Ana winds continued to sweep across much of Southern California Sunday.
The National Weather Service warning was initially scheduled to expire Sunday afternoon.
Northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph were expected in the cities of Moreno Valley, Riverside, Corona, Temecula and Hemet.
Strong winds started blowing across the Inland Empire on Thursday amid a shift in the jet stream that will dry out the region following the storms that ended 2025, according to the National Weather Service.
“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects,” the NWS said. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Riverside County Mountains, San Diego County Mountains, and San Gorgonio Pass near Banning are forecasted to feel the biggest brunt of this Santa Ana wind event.”
Forecasters also predicted the arrival of warmer temperatures, peaking around the middle of the week. Temperatures throughout the county were expected to be in the low 70s on Monday, reaching 77 degrees by Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday were expected to be the warmest days with highs in the low 80s across the county.
Forecasters expressed doubts about elevated wildfire risks amid the ongoing Santa Ana winds.
“While these warm, dry and windy conditions will boost fire potential, relatively high vegetation moisture … will mitigate that threat,” forecasters said.
By next weekend, temperatures were expected to be in the upper 70s across the county.