LOS ANGELES (CNS) – More Santa Ana winds blew through parts of the Southland Tuesday, but the gusts were less severe than originally anticipated, prompting a cancellation of red flag warnings that had been issued for local mountain areas.
The red flag warnings of critical fire danger were originally expected to be in place through 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the western San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway corridor. But shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service canceled the warnings in light of “lowered wind projections.”
But forecasters warned that fire conditions remain elevated.
“While the lowered wind projections have resulted in all red flag warnings to be canceled, there remains a fire danger especially considering the holiday,” according to the NWS. “With little to no rain so far this season, elevated to locally brief critical fire weather conditions will continue over the mountains and windier valleys and foothills.”
Forecasters noted that given the lack of rain in the area, “plants remain very dry and ready to ignite.”
“Please refrain from using fireworks or anything that can spark a fire,” the NWS advised.
The offshore winds are expected to continue into Thursday, with localized wind gusts of 20 to 35 mph anticipated in particularly wind-prone areas, according to the NWS. Humidity levels will also fall below 10% in higher mountain elevations, and potentially fall to 8% to 20% in lower elevations and valleys.
The winds will shift to onshore by Friday, and humidity levels are expected to rise, according to the NWS. A light offshore flow is possible Sunday, with more Santa Ana wind conditions on the horizon.
“There is a growing potential for warm and gusty Santa Ana winds for the middle to end of next week,” according to the NWS.
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