Weather forecasters warned that the end of last week’s unusual flow of moist monsoonal air from old Mexico will mean a return to gusty, dry winds in fire-prone and tinder-dry mountains and canyons.
Afternoon winds of 25-35 miles per hour, and gusts up to 45 mph, are expected in the Santa Clarita, Acton and Palmdale areas, and those westerly winds will be dry away from the beaches.
“The combination of continued low humidities and gusty on-shore winds each afternoon and evening will bring elevated fire danger to the (San Gabriel) mountains and Antelope Valley, especially along the Highway 14 corridor,” said forecasters looking at fire weather conditions at the National Weather Service office in Oxnard.
Clouds may develop Saturday and Sunday, and the atmosphere here is expected to cool through the week as an upper-level low pressure system pumps cool maritime air inland.
That will also mean increased fog and clouds at night and early in the mornings along the coast next week, forecasters said.
—Staff and wire reports