Powerful Santa Ana winds blasted much of the Southland Thursday, with wind speeds exceeding expectations and combining with low humidity to create critical wildfire conditions that forecasters say will continue through Saturday.
Red flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service due to critical fire danger took effect for much of Los Angeles County beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday, and they will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday.
“Santa Ana winds arrived on schedule and with more aggressive speeds than expected,” NWS forecasters said, noting that gusts topping 70 mph had been recorded in the San Gabriel Mountains Thursday.
Winds speeds could be even stronger Friday, which is expected to be the peak of the wind event.
“Based on (Thursday’s) wind speeds, there at least a 30-40% chance of wind gusts in the L.A. County mountains reaching 90 mph, and similar chances for valleys and Ventura County coastal areas to see wind gusts as high as 60 mph,” according to the NWS.
Forecasters said previously that northeast winds of 20 to 40 mph were expected during the peak of the wind event, with gusts of up to 40 to 60 mph anticipated in wind prone areas. Localized gusts of 60 to 75 mph were expected.
“… Meanwhile, the air will rapidly warm and dry,” forecasters said. “High temperatures between 85 and 95 will be common by Friday, warmest near the coast where some highs could reach 100 and where the risk for heat illness is high. Minimum humidities will generally lower into the 8 to 20 percent range, with poor overnight recoveries. All of this will add up to a high risk for large fires and rapid fire growth over most of the area, especially over Los Angeles and Ventura counties as well as interior San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties where Red Flag Warnings are in place.”
Red flag warnings cover the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, San Gabriel Mountains, the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors, Antelope Valley foothills, the Malibu Coast, Calabasas and the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.
The NWS also issued wind advisories through 8 p.m. Friday for the Malibu Coast, the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, and portions of the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area.
A high wind warning will be in effect through 8 p.m. Friday for the Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, the San Gabriel Mountains and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors.
“A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly,” forecasters said. “Use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire. Residents near wildland interfaces should be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire breaks out.”
Heat advisories will continue through 8 p.m. Saturday for the Malibu Coast, Los Angeles County beaches, Palos Verdes Hills and the inland coast, including downtown Los Angeles.
The hot, dry and windy conditions could prompt Southern California Edison to implement public safety power shutoffs to reduce the risk of power lines sparking wildfires.
According to SCE’s website, nearly 28,000 customers in Los Angeles County had their power cut due to safety concerns as of Thursday afternoon, and 76,000 others in the county were being considered for possible power shutoffs.
Malibu officials said Tuesday that SCE had notified the city of possible shutoffs beginning as early as midnight Thursday on the Cuthbert, Galahad, Maguire and Merlin circuits in central and western Malibu.
Residents were urged to charge electronic devices, prepare emergency supplies, review evacuation routes and secure loose outdoor items.
The NWS also cautioned drivers about dangerous crosswinds, particularly on elevated roadways.
A cooling trend is expected to begin Sunday along the coast, with temperatures falling 10 to 15 degrees from Saturday’s highs. Inland areas will cool early next week, and forecasters said there is a possibility of light rain by the middle of next week.