Although high surf continued to present a concern in some coastal areas Tuesday attention was beginning to turn to an anticipated onset of Santa Ana winds expected to drive up temperatures and fire danger in Southern California beginning as early as Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Read more Grille parts still fly off top-selling GM truck, safety officials say
Powerful waves that have devastated coastal areas in Long Beach and Orange County over the past several days — the aftermath of former Tropical Storm Rachel — were slowly beginning to diminish, although surf remained treacherous Tuesday morning and hazardous conditions were expected to linger for another couple days.
A beach hazards statement will be in effect at all Los Angeles County beaches through Thursday afternoon, indicating the presence of dangerous rip currents and elevated surf, along with some possible coastal flooding.
On Wednesday, residents should begin experiencing a noticeable change in weather conditions, with temperatures slowly rising as a Santa Ana wind event develops, according to the National Weather Service.
A very light north-northeast wind was expected to develop over the mountains on Tuesday, then increase in speed each day through Friday, by which time winds aloft will be around 40-50 mph, the NWS said.
“In response, temperatures across the coast and valleys will warm by roughly 10 degrees each day, peaking Friday with highs in the upper 80s to mid 90s in most areas,” according to the NWS.
Forecasters said Friday will see the strongest winds, but Thursday’s wind speeds won’t be far behind. Wind gusts of 60 and 70 mph are possible in wind-prone areas of the San Gabriel Mountains, forecasters said.
As is typical with Santa Ana wind events, the risk of wildfires will increase, with the gusty conditions combining with dry air to potential fuel blazes. The NWS issued red flag warnings of critical fire danger conditions effective at 6 a.m. Thursday and continuing until 10 p.m. Friday for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, San Gabriel Mountains, the 5 and 14 freeway corridors, the Malibu Coast, Calabasas and the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.
“Moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds will quickly develop on Thursday, peak Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon, then weaken through the weekend,” according to the NWS. “Meanwhile, dry air will settle over the region and dry out any helpful effects of the recent rains. … Some of the windiest areas may see Red Flag conditions linger into Saturday.”
Read more Amigos de los Ninos luncheon raises $200,000 for county groups
Forecasters said the LA mountain areas could see winds of 20 to 40 mph, gusting as high as 70 mph, with humidity dropping to between 8% and 20%. Other areas could see 20 to 30 mph winds, gusting up to 50 mph, with humidity falling as low as 5%.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly, forecasters said. “Use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire. Residents near wildland interfaces should be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire breaks out.”
The NWS issued wind advisories that will be in place from 6 a.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Friday for the Malibu Coast, the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, and the Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area. A high wind watch will be in effect from Thursday morning through Friday evening for the Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area and San Gabriel Mountains.
Heat advisories will take effect at 10 a.m. Thursday and continue through Saturday for the Malibu Coast, Los Angeles County beaches, Palos Verdes Hills and the Inland Coast, including downtown Los Angeles.
High-wind and critical fire conditions typically trigger the possibility of “public safety power shutoffs” for Southern California Edison customers. The utility implements the power cuts to deactivate power lines that could be in danger of suffering damage during wind events, possibly sparking wildfires.
According to SCE’s website, more than 37,700 SCE customers in Los Angeles County were being considered for possible PSPS power cuts as of Tuesday afternoon, although no customers were immediately without power under the program. Such cuts likely would not occur until later in the week when winds intensify.
Malibu officials said Tuesday that SCE has already notified the city about the possibility of power cuts on various circuits in the city beginning as early as Thursday morning “due to forecast dangerous fire conditions.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for more.