Tracking a 3-day strong Santa Ana wind event

A strong 3-day Santa Ana wind event begins Thursday for the Central Coast. Thousand of people will be without power due to the heightened risk of wildfires. A majority of the coverage zone will be underneath a Red Flag Warning, High Wind Warnings and Heat Advisories. Fire fuels are dry and primed to contribute to explosive fire growth. Practice fire safety and tie down loose items. Winds will be moderate today and stronger tomorrow. Highs rise into the 80s and 90s. Overnight lows will be warmer as well.

Peak heat and peak Santa Ana winds occur Friday. Many areas will see gusts near 60mph and possibly damaging wind levels. Avoid outdoor activities, especially anything that can spark fires as the destruction could be widespread. Temperatures reach peak levels of 90s for most. Humidity values will drop to dangerous levels, many areas falling into singular digits.

We continue with Santa Ana winds and fire weather concerns Saturday before our weather pattern returns to normal by Sunday. The next weather pattern shift starts Monday and Tuesday as a low pressure system swings into the area and cools temperatures. This system will bring small rain chances into next week. More information to come.