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Weather Forecast for Wednesday, Jan. 8
The latest forecast and air quality conditions for the greater Los Angeles area, including beaches, valleys and desert regions.
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County and the rest of Southern California braced for another round of wicked Santa Ana winds after three wildfires erupted on Tuesday.
Firefighters continue to work around the clock to fight the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires in challenging conditions as fierce winds continue to rip through the area. Tens of thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders in several LA County communities, such as Pacific Palisades, Santa Clarita, Sylmar, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, and Altadena.
Los Angeles County the strongest winds experienced this season and could even see the most powerful winds recorded in the last decade.
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Eaton Fire explodes overnight
The Eaton Fire burning in the San Gabriel Valley exploded in size overnight, fire officials said.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued several weather alerts, with some set to remain in place through Friday evening.
The NWS warned of a "particularly dangerous situation" for Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to strong and destructive winds, with gusts reaching up to 50 and 80 mph. Wind speeds were expected to kick up even more for the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys.
Officials encourage those who have the ability to work remotely to do so to help keep the roads clear for evacuees.
Weather Alerts
Red Flag Warning
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday due to strong and damaging winds. This applies to Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside and Ventura counties. This includes the following communities:
- The San Gabriel Valley
- The San Fernando Valley
- Beverly Hills
- Hollywood Hills
- Coastal areas near the Sepulveda Pass
- Areas along the Santa Monica Mountains
- Malibu
- Santa Susana Mountains
- Eastern Ventura Valley including Simi Valley and Moorpark
- Fullerton
- Anaheim
- Mission Viejo
- Irvine
- Riverside
- Big Bear Lake
- Fontana
- San Bernardino
- Running Springs
- Lake Arrowhead
- Moreno Valley
- Lake Arrowhead
High Wind Warning
In addition to a Red Flag Warning, a High Wind Warning remains in effect through 6 p.m. Wednesday for San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Riverside counties. The NWS forecasts wind speeds between 30 and 40 mph with gusts reaching up to 75 mph, even 90 mph at times in the Inland Empire.
For LA County, includes areas such as Redondo Beach, Hollywood, Long Beach, Compton, Culver City, Santa Monica, LAX, Rancho Palos Verdes and Downey, wind gusts could reach up to 60 mph. The wind speeds could lead to widespread power outages and downed power lines.
Wind Advisory
A Wind Advisory is in effect in Ventura County through 6 p.m. Wednesday. Ths includes Ojai, Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard and Port Hueneme.
Fire Weather Watch
A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for parts of LA and Ventura counties from 6 p.m. Thursday to 5 p.m. Friday.
The NWS said the alert means critical fire weather conditions are expected to occur in the coming days. "Residents near wildland interfaces should prepare now on what to do if a wildfire breaks out," they warned.
Power Shutoffs
Southern California Edison customers in some areas could have their power turned off under the utility's Public Safety Power Shutoffs program.
According to SCE's website, more than 70,000 customers in Los Angeles County and more than 9,400 in Orange County are under consideration for power shutoffs during the upcoming wind event.
Updated information about power shutoffs is available online.
School closures
Several school districts canceled classes for Wednesday, Jan. 8 due to the wildfires and poor air quality.
RELATED COVERAGE: LA County school closures: LIST
What's next?
Forecast models are showing calmer winds by the weekend.