'Life-threatening' windstorm brings critical fire weather back to Southern California
LOS ANGELES - Southern California braced for another round of howling Santa Ana winds – this time, the incoming windstorm is considered "life-threatening."
Several weather alerts were in effect in the region, including a High Surf Advisory and a Red Flag Warning, bringing critical fire weather back to the area.
A fire broke out in Pacific Palisades around 10:30 a.m., quickly spreading to more than 200 acres an hour later as firefighters continued to battle the blaze amid the dangerous winds. In addition, firefighters also knocked down a fire that broke out off the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood on Tuesday morning.
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Los Angeles County could see some of the strongest winds experienced this season and could even see the most powerful winds recorded in the last decade.
The widespread damaging windstorm is forecast to bring sustained wind speeds between 20-45 mph with wind gusts potentially reaching 60-80 mph.
Along with the possibility of extreme fire behavior, the area could also see downed trees and power lines, along with power outages.
Residents are asked to stay prepared by having an emergency supply kit and an evacuation plan, especially those who live in fire zones.
Weather Alerts
The dangerous wind event was expected to hit the Southland by Tuesday afternoon.
More about the weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) below.
High Wind Warning
A High Wind Warning is in effect in parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino and Riverside counties from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
Impacted areas include LA County beaches, Catalina and Santa Barbara Island, Palos Verdes Hills, downtown LA, Torrance, Downey, Beverly Hills, Avalon, Norwalk, LAX, Rancho Palos Verdes, Culver City, Compton, Hollywood, and Long Beach.
For Orange County, this will impact areas in the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills, as well as the cities of Garden Grove, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim and Fullerton.
The damaging winds for the Inland Empire were expected in the San Bernardino County Mountains and Riverside County valleys.
Red Flag Warning
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for LA and Ventura counties from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday. The National Weather Service said "very strong, widespread, and destructive" winds were expected.
The NWS added the San Gabriel and Santa Susana mountains, the foothills of the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys could see wind gusts between 80 and 100 mph.
"This will likely be the most destructive windstorm seen since [the] 2011 windstorm that did extensive damage to Pasadena and nearby Foothills of the San Gabriel Valley. Any communities along [the] Highway 118 and 210 corridors will be at the highest risk for comparable wind damage," the NWS said.
The warning is also in place in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., with the biggest impact expected for the Santa Ana Mountains, and San Bernardino Mountains, foothills and valleys.
Northwest winds were expected between 20 and 40 mph with gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph in the Inland Empire, with the strongest winds anticipated below the Cajon Pass.
Air Quality Alert
An Air Quality Alert has been issued for several parts of Southern California begining at 10 a.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. Wednesday due to harmful particle pollution from windblown dust.
This impacts Los Angeles County from the shoreline, the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys and inland communities including Santa Monica, Inglewood Downey, Norwalk, Pasadena, Reseda, Woodland Hills.
This also applies for the Inland Empire and Orange County for areas such as Ontario, Moreno Valley, San Clemente, Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, Corona, Rancho Cucamonga, Huntington Beach, Riverside and Fontana.
High Surf Advisory
A High Surf Advisory remains in effect through 9 p.m. Tuesday for west-facing beaches in Ventura County. The NWS warns of large breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet and dangerous rip currents.
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.
Road Closures
Due to the elevated fire danger, Caltrans will close Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway from Tuesday to Friday. Only residents and local business traffic will be permitted into the canyon during the closure.
Caltrans will assist the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department with the closure from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. Friday.
School closures
In anticipation of the dangerous wind event, all Malibu schools will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. This includes Malibu Elementary, Webster Elementary, Malibu Middle and Malibu High schools. Santa Monica schools
Be prepared
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and monitor the latest forecasts for updated information.
The NWS said there is potential for this latest system to be the strongest wind event of the season, especially for the Southland valleys.
Watch out for downed trees, large tree branches, and downed power lines due to the windstorm.
Residents living near the foothills are advised to review fire safety plans and be prepared to go in the event of evacuations.