Residents across Southern California are bracing for another round of Santa Ana winds, with forecasters warning of gusts reaching up to 55 mph in certain areas. The National Weather Service San Diego reported that areas along and below the coast slopes of the Santa Ana Mountains and the San Bernardino County mountains could experience strong winds that are expected to peak this morning before gradually diminishing in the afternoon.
While the deserts see slightly cooler temperatures than Sunday, coastal and valley regions are heating up, with San Diego County's coastal areas reaching between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit today. Inland valleys are forecasted to hit a cooler 67 to 74 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Gusty winds whip through the valleys and Orange County, issuing a reality where critical fire weather conditions threaten due to the dry humidity levels of 10 to 15 percent being pummeled by the winds, which are peaking this morning.
Beyond today's winds, the area forecast discussion hints at a continued seesaw of temperatures throughout the week. After warming on Tuesday, temperatures will drop for Wednesday and Thursday, then rise again into the coming weekend. Forecasters note that patchy frost may hit areas such as the Apple Valley early Thursday and Friday mornings. These shifts, coupled with the winds, are prompting advisories for heightened fire weather risks.
Concerning the imminent fire weather, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning until this evening for several regions, including the Inland Empire and the San Bernardino National Forest. A Fire Weather Watch follows, starting late Tuesday night through Thursday afternoon for similar areas. And while mariners can at least look forward to calm conditions at sea, those on land must contend with the possibility of critical fire weather conditions again as the winds return with low humidity levels spilling upon Orange County from Wednesday morning into the night, weaving a tapestry of concern across the dry landscape.
