Wednesday LA forecast: Red Flag conditions ease, onshore winds to return Thursday
LOS ANGELES - Residents and first responders in Los Angeles County and across Southern California remained vigilant Wednesday and have yet to let their guard down as the National Weather Service (NWS) called for yet another day of critical fire danger, fueled by Santa Ana winds.
While winds eased Tuesday and several weather alerts were downgraded, NWS forecasters warned of a "particularly dangerous situation" in some parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to the combination of low humidity, warm temperatures and fierce winds.
RELATED: LA Weather Timeline: Peak of Santa Ana winds, wildfire concerns being pushed back
"Considering the extremely dry state of the fuels, recent fire behavior, and the strength of the winds, this is a particularly dangerous situation. There is a high risk for large fires, rapid fire spread, and long range spotting," the NWS explained.
SUGGESTED COVERAGE:
Northeast winds were expected to hit between 20 and 40 mph with gusts potentially reaching up to 70 mph.
A Red Flag Warning, which indicates critical fire weather and encourages residents to prepare to evacuate, was in place through 6 p.m.
Residents were encouraged to protect themselves from lingering poor air quality.
RELATED: Air quality Los Angeles: Harmful particle pollution from windblown fire ash
Weather Alerts
Red Flag Warning
A Red Flag Warning was issued for Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties before expiring at 6 p.m.
This includes the following areas:
- Western San Gabriel Mountains
- 5 Freeway Corridor
- Southern Ventura County Mountains
- Santa Susana Mountains
- Ventura Valley (Simi Valley, Moorpark, Santa Paula, South Mountain)
- Western San Fernando Valley, including Calabasas and Agoura Hills
- Santa Ana Mountains
- San Bernardino County Mountains
- Inland Orange County
Wind Advisory
The NWS issued a Wind Advisory, an alert for gusty and potentially damaging winds, for parts of Los Angeles County before eventually expiring Wednesday afternoon.
Impacted communities:
- Santa Clarita Valley
- Malibu
- Calabasas
- Agoura Hills
- Valencia
- Lake Castaic
- Newhall
- Santa Clarita
- Pacific Palisades
- Westlake Village
- Mount Baldy
- Wrightwood
- Mount Wilson
- Angeles Crest Highway
The same alert was in effect for the Inland Empire, San Bernardino County Mountains and some inland Orange County communities before expiring at 6 p.m.
- Fontana
- Fullerton
- Corona
- Big Bear Lake
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Anaheim
- Running Springs
- Irvine
- Ontario
- Wrightwood
How long will the windy conditions last?
Calm and on-shore winds are set to return to the forecast on Thursday, bringing higher humidity. Cooler temps and onshore winds continue Friday and this weekend.
"By Friday we’re really going to get that onshore back for everybody, even all the way to the Inland Empire, and that will bring a little bit more humidity into the atmosphere which will help us mitigate fire danger. Until then, fire danger is still going to be high," FOX 11 Meteorologist Maria Quiban said.
Red flag warnings for some mountain communities surrounding the Santa Clarita Valley, Western San Gabriel Mountains, and Santa Susana Mountains remain in effect till 3 p.m. Thursday.
Another round of Santa Ana winds is expected to return from Monday to Tuesday of next week.