Santa Ana winds were expected to weaken and become more localized in Riverside County Tuesday as an offshore wind pattern sticks around much of this week forecasted the National Weather Service.
High pressure remained locked in across the West Coast and forecasters expect wind-prone areas will continue to see high and gusty winds.
“Gusty Santa Ana winds will become more localized in the passes and coastal [slopes] as the week wears on,” said the NWS. “Temperatures will continue to warm into Wednesday. High temperatures of 5 to 15 degrees above average are expected from Wednesday into this weekend with continued dry and mostly sunny weather.”
“Winds will generally be 35-50 MPH in the windy spots, closer to 25-35 MPH elsewhere,” according to the NWS.
Forecasters predicted that warmer temperatures will peak around the middle of the week. Temperatures throughout the county were expected to reach 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.