Gusty Santa Ana winds are predicted to impact southern California in the coming days, potentially worsening the already catastrophic wildfires plaguing the region. The strongest gusts are anticipated early next week, specifically on Monday night and into Tuesday, according to forecasters. However, these winds are not expected to reach the extreme levels experienced earlier in the week, as stated by AccuWeather senior meteorologist Heather Zehr in an interview with USA TODAY on Friday.
The intense winds, reaching speeds nearing 100 mph, played a significant role in fueling the aggressive firestorms that erupted in the area. Firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish flames that engulfed multiple homes along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on January 8, 2025. Fanned by powerful Santa Ana winds, the Palisades Fire broke out a day prior, spreading across Pacific Palisades and Malibu in northern Los Angeles County.
There will be a brief respite from the strong winds as Zehr mentioned, stating that the wind speeds are expected to diminish quickly on Friday, with much calmer conditions prevailing through Saturday compared to recent days. However, a new round of heightened winds is forecasted to develop along the coastal areas of Southern California starting Monday.
Zehr cautioned that the upcoming wind event from Monday to Wednesday could range from moderate to potentially strong. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles issued a warning of extended periods of elevated to critical fire weather conditions from Sunday to Wednesday due to the anticipated offshore winds, with Tuesday likely to experience peak wind speeds.
Comparing the upcoming event to the previous week’s dangerous northerly wind occurrence, the weather service highlighted that this event is expected to be a more traditional northeast Santa Ana wind event. Nonetheless, the combination of low humidity levels and strong winds still poses an increased risk of fire danger in the region.
Residents are urged to stay informed about the evolving weather conditions and to take necessary precautions to safeguard lives and property, as emphasized by the weather service. Concerns about air quality persist, with Zehr noting that smoke emissions from ongoing fires, coupled with light wind patterns, could lead to pollutants being trapped, resulting in unhealthy air quality levels.
Air quality alerts remain in effect across various areas, with many neighborhoods experiencing unhealthy levels of fine particle pollution caused by wildfire smoke, according to AccuWeather. The dry weather pattern is set to continue in southern California, with no significant rainfall expected in the near future, prolonging an exceptionally dry period for the region.
Los Angeles has not received more than a quarter of an inch of rain since mid-April of the previous year, a significant departure from the average rainfall of 5 to 6 inches typically recorded in downtown L.A. during the same period, as reported by AccuWeather. The persistent dry conditions exacerbate the existing challenges posed by the ongoing wildfires and underline the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared for any developments in the coming days.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY, highlighting the weekend Santa Ana wind forecast for Los
