Ron Chalfant
.FIRE WEATHER…
Critical fire weather conditions through Friday afternoon across San
Bernardino, Orange and Riverside counties with strong Santa Ana
winds and single digit humidities. Sustained winds through Noon were
20-30 mph in these areas with peak gusts of 51 mph at CSU San
Bernardino and Highland Springs. The Santa Ana winds had also moved
into the Riverside and San Diego County County Mountains and
foothills.
High resolution models and surface pressure gradient field support
strong winds continuing tonight through Friday morning with a few
gusts to 65 mph in windiest mountain and foothill areas. Lowest
humidity this afternoon will fall to 4 to 8 percent, and then from 3
to 8 percent on Friday. Red Flag Warnings are in effect through 10
PM Friday.
Very dry conditions but with lighter offshore winds will continue
into Saturday. This will be followed by another moderate-to-strong
Santa Ana Sunday and Monday and a critical period of fire weather
potential with low humidities and near record low fuel moisture. The
pressure pattern will be a little more favorable for stronger winds
in Riverside and San Diego County, but it will be also be very windy
in San Bernardino and Orange County too. Humidities will remain very
low, likely in the single digits. Critical fire weather conditions
continue, and Fire Weather Watches/Red Flag Warnings will be needed.
Weak to occasionally moderate strength Santa Ana winds will continue
Tuesday through Friday of next week.