A Santa Ana wind event is expected to intensify on Monday night, roaring through the canyons, mountain slopes, and numerous coastal areas across Southern California throughout Tuesday and Tuesday night. Meteorologists at AccuWeather are cautioning that the strong gusty winds could exacerbate existing fires, potentially leading them to spiral out of control, while also posing the risk of igniting new fires with burning embers being carried by the fierce winds.
The upcoming weather phenomenon is being attributed to an area of high pressure that will be strengthening over the Great Basin from Monday night into Tuesday night. This surge in pressure will generate strong winds that will traverse over the interior mountains of Southern California before funneling through the valleys and canyons oriented from northeast to southwest. As the air is channeled through the gaps in the mountains or descends downhill, it is anticipated to pick up significant velocity.
Though the intensity of the winds may not reach the levels seen in previous Santa Ana events, the recent Franklin Fire, which broke out on December 9 during a moderate wind event, serves as a stark reminder that even moderate winds can fuel the rapid spread of flames, endangering lives and properties. As of Sunday night, efforts to contain the Franklin Fire had only achieved around 50% success.
Northeast winds are predicted to reach speeds averaging between 40 to 60 mph, with occasional stronger gusts, posing a significant risk for sparks to ignite and swiftly escalate into large, fast-moving wildfires. Experts are advising individuals working with power equipment and open flames to exercise extra caution during the impending windy conditions, and to promptly report any instances of downed power lines to utility companies, fire departments, and the police.
The intensity of the gusts is also expected to potentially impact the safe operation of larger vehicles such as trucks, campers, and buses, particularly when navigating through mountain passes or open areas where the wind is blowing across the path of the road.
While the east to northeast winds may persist into Wednesday, it is anticipated that the speeds will diminish compared to Tuesday. These conditions are likely to pose challenges for ongoing firefighting operations, increasing both the difficulty and danger associated with containing and extinguishing fires in the affected areas.
As is commonly observed during Santa Ana wind events, the downtown Los Angeles area is projected to experience lesser wind impact compared to surrounding regions, although the localized gusty breezes can still elevate the risk of wildfires in nearby cities.
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