Strong Santa Ana winds will howl through parts of Southern California Thursday, creating yet another round of dangerous fire weather conditions.
Red flag warnings for the fire danger have been posted by the National Weather Service (NWS) in parts of Southern California. The NWS said an extreme red flag warning is in effect for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Isolated wind gusts up to 70 mph are possible in the Los Angeles County mountains Thursday, and relative humidity could drop into the single digits. Gusts could reach 60 mph in other parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
"These winds will result in a significant threat for large fast-moving fires and wind damage (like downed trees, power lines and broken signs or overhangs)," warned the Oxnard/Los Angeles NWS forecast office.
Winds are expected to diminish Thursday afternoon.
Extremely critical fire weather conditions are forecast on Thursday in parts of Southern California, according to NOAA's Storm Prediction Center. Conditions are expected to improve by Friday.
Pattern Change to End Extreme Fire Danger
A weather pattern change beginning Friday will be good and bad news for California.
The recent weather pattern has featured a southward plunge of the jet stream over the West. At the same time, multiple strong high-pressure systems built into the Rockies and Great Basin. When that setup is in place, California usually has bouts of strong winds and low humidity.
By Friday, the jet stream will build northward along the West Coast as its corresponding southward plunge moves toward the central and eastern states. That will put an end to the threat of strong winds in California into early next week.
The bad news is that this same weather pattern will also prevent any chances for rain in California for the foreseeable future.
What California needs is for the jet stream to dive southward over the Eastern Pacific Ocean and then pivot eastward into the West Coast. That would open the door for moisture-laden Pacific storms to spread into the state.
Until a significant soaking arrives this fall, the potential for large and rapidly spreading wildfires will continue if any bouts of strong winds return.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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