We’re expecting a strong Santa Ana wind condition Thursday (Thor’s Day) here in Southern California. The following “Red Flag Warning” is from the NWS. When you read it, “Cajon Pass” (Where Selsam/U.S. Windlabs is located) refers to a the old “Route 66” valley where the 15 Freeway connects Los Angeles, Orange County, and Riverside County with the high desert. Winds from the North up here are heated by compression, and accelerated as they go “down the hill” toward the more populated areas.
“San Gorgonio Pass” refers to the Palm Springs windfarm area, where winds will blow “backwards” (West) from the desert toward populated areas at 50 MPH instead of the normal cooler, more moist flow, from the ocean to the desert.
Don’t be surprised if you see wildfires on the news! We had rain this past winter, so there’s a lot of vegetation (fuel) out there.
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Active Weather Alerts
Red Flag Warning
Issued: 8:33 PM Oct. 22, 2019 – National Weather Service
…RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM THURSDAY TO 5 PM
PDT FRIDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR
MOUNTAINS…VALLEYS… AND INLAND ORANGE COUNTY…
-
WIND…East to northeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50
mph. Winds will be strongest below the Cajon Pass and in the
Santa Ana Mountains, with isolated gusts near 60 mph. For the
San Diego County mountains and the San Gorgonio Pass areas,
isolated gusts of 60 MPH are more likely late Thursday or
Friday morning. -
HUMIDITY…Lowest daytime humidity of 5 to 10 percent with
poor overnight recovery. -
TIMING…Winds will develop late Wednesday night, then
strengthen and become more widespread Thursday morning with the
humidity decreasing to 5 to 10 percent by early afternoon. -
OUTLOOK…Very low humidity will continue into Saturday, but
with weaker and less widespread winds. There will be greater
humidity recovery Sunday as onshore flow strengthens and
spreads cooling inland. -
IMPACTS…Current fires and any new fires may spread rapidly and
exhibit extreme fire behavior. Active burning through the night
due to gusty winds and extremely dry conditions. Outdoor burning
is not recommended. The strong winds could blow around unsecured
objects and make driving high profile vehicles more difficult.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now…or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds…low relative humidity…and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.