More potentially damaging wind waves are expected off the coast of Santa Ana over the weekend and into next week, as the overall weather pattern that has fueled the spread of the massive wildfires shows no signs of changing anytime soon. There is.
LOS ANGELES — Fresh from a devastating wind and fire storm that killed at least five people and left neighborhoods in ruins, severe forecasts remain in place for Southern California, with the threat of Santa Ana winds causing further damage. Severe fire weather danger may continue for the next several days. .
Winds are not expected to reach the extreme levels seen during Tuesday night’s storm, which recorded widespread gusts of 80 to 160 miles per hour, but the threat of offshore winds is an emerging weather pattern. Potentially damaging winds remain in the forecast for next week.
What are Santa Ana winds?
High wind warnings and wind advisories are in effect across large areas of Southern California.
Southern California Wind Warning.
(FOX Weather)
Meanwhile, the greater Los Angeles area, where the massive Palisades and Eaton fires continue to burn, is under a fire weather warning through at least Friday night due to strong winds and extremely dry humidity levels.
Northeast wind gusts are expected to reach 40 mph in the Los Angeles metro area and surrounding foothills through Thursday evening, before locally moderate to strong Santa Ana winds return. Wind gusts are expected to increase to 50 mph Thursday night into Friday. In addition, offshore winds keep moist sea breezes at bay, so relative humidity levels remain between 10% and 20%.
Peak gust forecast for Southern California.
(FOX Weather)
“The wind component is still offshore, which means there will be compressional heating as it moves down (the mountainside) and dries,” said FOX Weather Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen.
These conditions will continue to make it difficult to extinguish current wildfires and enable new fires to spread rapidly, as hundreds of thousands of residents have already witnessed firsthand this week.
Dry offshore winds are expected to briefly subside late Friday into late Saturday, a welcome reprieve for firefighters. But the Santa Ana winds will return Saturday night into Sunday, bringing back strong gusts and extremely dry air.
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Firefighters continue to battle the Palisades Fire as flames rage across Los Angeles, California, United States, January 9, 2025 (Photo courtesy of CAL FIRE’s official Flickr account/handout/Anadolu, Getty Images) ()
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Beachfront homes destroyed by Palisades Fire in Malibu, California revealed at first light (Robert Ray, January 9, 2025) (Robert Ray)
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Destructive winds, perhaps the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, are sparking devastating fires across Southern California. (Robert Ray)
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LOS ANGELES, USA – JANUARY 9: A blaze destroys buildings and vegetation on January 9, 2025 in Los Angeles, California, United States. (CAL FIRE’s official Flickr account/handout/Anadolu)
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Flames from the Palisades Fire burn through buildings on Sunset Boulevard during a powerful rainstorm in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 8, 2025. (Apu Gomez/Getty Images)
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The charred remains of a pickup truck in Malibu, California (Robert Ray, January 9, 2025) (Robert Ray)
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Helicopters spray water and firefighters respond to destroyed homes as the Palisades Fire spreads in Pacific Palisades, California, January 7, 2025. (DAVID SWANSON/AFP, Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 8: Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire burning homes on the Pacific Coast Highway during powerful storms on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. A fast-moving wildfire has grown to more than 2,900 acres and is threatening coastal homes in Southern California’s strong Santa Ana winds and dry weather. (Photo by Apu Gomez/Getty Images)
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MALIBU, CA – JANUARY 8: A Tesla car melts into the road on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Strong winds caused several fires to spread across Southern California. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) ( )
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MALIBU, CA – JANUARY 8: Beachfront homes go up in flames along the Pacific Coast Highway near Carbon Canyon on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Malibu, California. Strong winds caused several fires to spread across Southern California. (David Crane/Media News Group/Los Angeles Daily News)
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On January 8, 2025, wind-driven flames from the Eaton Fire consumed a home in Altadena, California. A raging wildfire broke out in a Los Angeles suburb on January 7, razing buildings and causing panic evacuations as hurricane-force winds battered the area. (Robin Beck/AFP)
“There is a good chance that significant fire weather conditions will worsen again during this period,” forecasters at the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said during a forecast discussion Thursday morning.
Lack of rainfall in Los Angeles.
(FOX Weather)
Potentially dangerous Santa Ana winds continue next week
Santa Ana winds are expected to ease later Sunday, but forecasters remain cautious about the forecast for the middle of next week. Another area of cold, dense air has brought high pressure to the Great Basin, while another area of strong low pressure is swinging off the coast of Southern California, possibly starting Tuesday night and continuing into Wednesday. , suggesting an even stronger and more damaging Santa Ana-like event.
FOX Weather’s Robert Ray captured video footage of the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, which ravaged parts of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
“This would be concerning as no rain is likely expected and the Tuesday night through Wednesday period will be the fourth offshore event of this period,” NWS Los Angeles forecasters wrote.
They added that the situation could be made worse by the lack of heavy rain since last spring and damage from previous wildfires.
“Residents are asked to stay informed and remain vigilant to protect life and property,” NWS forecasters wrote.
