Red flag warning takes effect for Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding mountains
Santa Ana winds and low humidity are expected to raise fire danger across parts of Southern California through Saturday.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for specific regions in Southern California starting at 2 a.m. on Saturday. The alert covers the Santa Clarita Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Susana Mountains, and the western San Gabriel Mountains. It remains in effect until 6 p.m. that same day.
Meteorologists expect northeast winds to reach speeds between 20 and 30 miles per hour during this period. Gusts could exceed 45 miles per hour. Relative humidity is projected to drop between 8% and 20%, creating conditions that increase the likelihood of wildfires.
A combination of offshore flow and high pressure is driving a warming trend across the Los Angeles County area. Temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 70s and 80s in coastal and valley zones on Saturday. Many locations will run 5 to 10 degrees above normal averages for both Saturday and Sunday.
In Orange County, the offshore flow will strengthen through Friday and Saturday, bringing weak to moderate Santa Ana winds. Wind speeds in exposed areas could reach 25 to 40 miles per hour on Saturday. There is a 10% probability of gusts between 35 and 50 miles per hour.
High temperatures in Orange County are expected to reach the low to mid-80s on Friday. They will rise to the mid to upper 80s over the weekend. Humidity levels in some valleys may fall to approximately 10%.
A hazardous surf advisory is currently active for Catalina Island, the Malibu coast, and Los Angeles County beaches until Tuesday morning. Forecasters predict dangerous rip currents and breaking waves between 4 and 6 feet. High tides will peak on Sunday and Monday, reaching heights of 7.2 to 7.6 feet.
The offshore flow is expected to weaken by Tuesday, leading to a gradual cooling trend. Temperatures will remain above normal through Wednesday.
