Southern California will warm up Thursday as Santa Ana winds begin to build, with stronger gusts and elevated fire danger forecast for Friday and Saturday.
In Los Angeles County, northeasterly offshore winds are expected to gradually increase through Saturday. Winds are forecast to remain below advisory levels Thursday, but the National Weather Service said the potential for low-end advisory-level winds will increase Friday and Saturday.
There is a 30% to 50% chance of wind gusts between 35 and 50 mph in wind-prone areas of Los Angeles County on Friday and Saturday, according to the weather service.
Temperatures will rise as offshore flow increases and high pressure builds over the region. Highs are expected to reach the upper 70s and 80s across L.A. County’s coastal and valley areas Saturday, with Sunday forecast to be the warmest day.
“Recent rainfall has helped mitigate the fire threat a bit,” National Weather Service forecasters said, but live fuel moistures remain low enough that the region is not “out of the woods” regarding fire danger.
In Orange County, offshore flow will begin Thursday and strengthen Friday and Saturday, bringing weak-to-moderate Santa Ana winds, forecasters said.
The National Weather Service said there is a 40% chance of a weak-to- moderate Santa Ana event in Orange County on Saturday, with wind-prone areas seeing gusts of 25 to 40 mph. The chance of a moderate event with gusts of 35 to 50 mph is 10%.
High temperatures in Orange County are expected to climb into the low and mid-80s Friday and the mid- to upper 80s over the weekend.
“Warmer and drier weather” is expected through Sunday, the NWS said, with humidity forecast to fall into the teens in some valleys this weekend.
Offshore winds are expected to weaken Sunday, followed by a gradual cooling trend beginning Monday.
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