A red flag warning signifying the risk of wildfire went into effect Thursday in the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County mountains.
The warning will be in effect until 10 a.m. Saturday, and will also cover the Santa Barbara and Ventura County mountains.
“North to northwest winds will increase across the mountains and Antelope Valley through Friday night as a trough of low pressure passes to the north and high pressure builds inland,” according to the National Weather Service. “The north to northwest winds will usher in a drier air mass as well, bringing dangerous fire weather conditions to parts of the area, especially for the Antelope Valley, through the I-5 corridor and along the Santa Ynez mountain range in southern Santa Barbara County.
“Sundowner winds will also produce dangerous fire weather conditions for the Santa Barbara County south coast Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.”
West winds of between 20 and 30 mph will howl across the Antelope Valley, mostly its western tier, gusting to 50 mph amid humidity levels of only between 5 and 10 percent, forecasters said.
Winds of between 25 and 35 mph also will blow through mountain areas, accompanied by 55-mph gusts, with the strongest winds expected though the Interstate 5 corridor, according to the NWS. Near Whitaker Peak, there could be gusts of 60 mph. Humidity levels in the mountains and forests will be between 8 and 15 percent.
“If fire ignition occurs, conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior and rapid fire spread, which could threaten life and property,” the statement said.
Fire weather was also forecast for parts of Santa Barbara County.
Along the L.A. County Coast, a beach hazards statement will be in force through late Thursday night, followed by a more serious high surf advisory, which will be in effect from 5 a.m. Friday until 5 p.m,. Saturday.
The NWS forecast surf of between 3 and 6 feet Thursday, and between 5 and 7 feet Saturday, with sets of 8 feet possible, and strong rip currents expected.
Beach goers were advised to swim near lifeguard stations, to never swim alone, and, if caught in a rip current, to swim parallel to shore until able to break free. Forecasters also warned of sneaker waves able to wash people off rocks and jetties.
The region, meanwhile, headed toward another heat wave, with a spike in temperatures expected Saturday.
The NWS forecast partly cloudy skies Thursday and highs of 71 in Avalon; 73 at LAX; 79 in Long Beach; 80 in downtown L.A.; 83 on Mount Wilson; 84 in San Gabriel; 88 in Burbank; 90 in Pasadena; 94 in Woodland Hills; 95 in Saugus; 98 in Palmdale; and 100 in Lancaster.
Friday’s temperatures will be roughly the same as Thursday’s but go up between 4 and 8 degrees on Saturday, when highs are expected to be 87 in downtown L.A., 96 in Pasadena, 101 in Woodland Hills, and 106 in Lancaster. Hot temperatures will persist through Tuesday.
Sunny skies were forecast in Orange County Thursday, along with highs of 70 in Laguna Beach; 71 in Newport Beach; 72 in San Clemente; 79 in Anaheim; 80 in Irvine and Mission Viejo; 81 in Fullerton; and 83 in Yorba Linda. Orange County temperatures are forecast to remain below 100 for the next several days.
—City News Service