High winds are forecasted to ramp up overnight into Tuesday, Jan. 19, and batter virtually all of Southern California until late Wednesday evening, the National Weather Service projects. Red flag fire warnings were in place because of the winds and low humidity.
This wind event is expected to vary from recent ones due to urban and coastal areas being projected to experience wind gusts as high as 60 mph rather than just the usual mountain pass and valley areas.
WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS expected tonight through Wednesday night. Even at the coast! Now is the time to bring in any loose outdoor objects
. Be wary of where you park your car, especially in areas that don't normally see strong winds, as trees can easily fall. pic.twitter.com/B5y8tsY3Qm
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) January 18, 2021
This is due to the coupling of a Santa Ana wind event and a low pressure system from the northeast that is expected to rest along the coast, strengthening the winds, according to meteorologist Stefanie Sullivan from NWS San Diego.
While parts of the Inland Empire, San Fernando Valley and Santa Ana Mountains experienced wind gusts from 20 to 30 mph on Monday, Jan. 18, gusts were anticipated to ramp up dramatically around 10 p.m. that night, Sullivan and meteorologist Carol Smith of NWS Los Angeles said.
Sullivan said the most extreme wind speeds would be seen in areas such as mountains, passes and canyons at about 80 mph. However, coastal and inland parts of Orange County can expect gusts up to 60 mph.
“The widespread nature (of this wind event) is different this time around,” Sullivan said.
In the San Fernando Valley, gusts of up to 70 mph are being forecasted for Tuesday, according to Smith. The San Gabriel Valley is also projected to see 60 mph gusts as well.
“We actually have a high wind warning in the San Gabriel Valley (on Monday afternoon), which is a little unusual,” Smith said.
Throughout the coastal region in Los Angeles County, Smith said 60 mph gusts are anticipated. The areas projected to experience the strongest winds include foothill areas like Hollywood and Beverly Hills, as well as west of Santa Monica to Malibu.
The highest and most widespread wind speeds are expected to take place much of Tuesday afternoon and begin ramping down overnight into Wednesday morning, according to Sullivan. Smith said Wednesday will likely have gusty conditions that gradually decrease until about 9 p.m. that night.
The possibility for wildfires were a concern for Sullivan as well. She explained that a red flag warning — meaning critical fire danger conditions are at play due to high winds and dry conditions — would be in effect for the Inland Empire, Santa Ana Mountains and inland Orange County from 10 p.m. Monday until 10 p.m. the following evening, Jan. 19.
Smith said a red flag warning would also be in effect until Wednesday morning for much of Los Angeles County.
Critical fire weather conditions are expected across most of SW CA later tonight thru Tue night. If any fires break out, potential impacts include extreme fire behavior and extremely fast spread and downwind spotting. #cawx #LAWeather #SoCal pic.twitter.com/RYfwgx7SAx
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 18, 2021
Sullivan recommended that residents move trash cans and other light weight outdoor furniture inside to avoid having it blown away in the wind event. She also cautioned people to be aware of falling trees, particularly in areas that don’t usually receive such strong winds.
“I can’t remember the last time we’ve seen something this strong and this widespread,” Sullivan said. “It’s probably been a few years now.”
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