News Summary
Southern California is preparing for a significant Santa Ana windstorm, expected to bring strong winds and critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service has warned that gusts may reach up to 60 mph, particularly in mountainous regions. This storm raises concerns about flying debris, downed limbs, power outages, and challenging driving conditions. Public Safety Power Shutoffs may occur in high-risk areas, alongside a critical fire weather warning due to extremely low humidity. Residents should remain vigilant as the windstorm impacts the region into next week.
Southern California is bracing for a potent Santa Ana windstorm expected to bring strong west winds and critical fire weather conditions starting Saturday at noon and lasting until 2 AM PDT Sunday. Winds of 25 to 35 mph are anticipated, with gusts possibly reaching up to 60 mph across various regions, including the Apple and Lucerne Valleys, Riverside County Mountains, San Bernardino County Mountains, San Diego County Deserts, San Diego County Mountains, and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning.
This windstorm poses hazards like flying debris, which may affect unsecured objects, and could lead to downed tree limbs, raising the risk of power outages. Drivers, especially those in high-profile vehicles, are warned of challenging driving conditions due to the strong winds, urging them to exercise caution while traveling.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has stated that these wind conditions could worsen tonight, with wind speeds climbing to between 65 and 75 mph along coastal mountain slopes. In certain mountain areas, gusts may exceed 75 mph, with widespread gusts of 50 to 65 mph expected below mountain passes. Caltrans is advising vigilance on mountain routes as this wind event continues until Wednesday at 1 p.m.
To protect local homes and communities, Southern California Edison has indicated that Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) might be necessary. Areas in Southwest Riverside County, including the San Gorgonio Pass, are under serious consideration for these outages. Restoration of electricity will occur once it is deemed safe to do so, with thorough inspections planned after the winds subside.
The ongoing situation has led to extreme fire weather conditions, with relative humidity levels plummeting to as low as 8%. A critical fire weather warning has been announced for the Inland Empire on Wednesday from 7 AM to 1 PM, emphasizing the seriousness of the dry conditions. Another surge of Santa Ana winds is projected for Thursday evening into Friday morning, with gusts expected between 40 and 60 mph.
Snow accumulation was reported in local mountains on Monday night, marking a significant weather change with the first inch of snow recorded at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway since 2017. In light of the windstorm’s impact, President Biden has canceled his planned visit to Southern California, postponing his remarks about national monuments in the region until next week.
Alongside the windstorm, a wind-driven brush fire sparked in the Pacific Palisades area near Los Angeles, leading to mandatory evacuations in affected neighborhoods. In Riverside County, new fires emerged during the Santa Ana wind event, including the Scout fire and Stone fire. The Scout fire near Jurupa Valley consumed two acres without threatening structures, while the Stone fire in Hemet was contained within an hour of its ignition.
A red flag warning remains in effect for the Inland Empire and surrounding regions until Wednesday at 6 PM. The combination of low humidity and critically dry vegetation presents severe risks for fire outbreaks throughout the week. The weekend forecast shows highs in the Coachella Valley reaching the low 70s, with expectations of sunny weather and temperatures around 74 degrees on Saturday, dipping to the mid-40s at night.
As the Santa Ana winds continue to impact Southern California, localized winds are forecasted to shift late Sunday, with another wind event anticipated early next week.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Patch: Strongest Winds Expected
- Wikipedia: Santa Ana wind
- LA Times: Riverside County Fires
- Google Search: Santa Ana winds Riverside County
- MyNewsLA: Strong Santa Ana Winds
- Google Scholar: Santa Ana winds California
- Desert Sun: Santa Ana Winds Return
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Windstorm
- LAist: SoCal Braces for Strong Winds
- Google News: California wildfires
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
