Southern California residents woke up to more than just a time change on Sunday, as powerful winds swept across the region, bringing heightened wildfire risks and travel concerns.
The National Weather Service reported gusty conditions affecting large areas of Southern California, including the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, as well as the Santa Monica Mountains. Some areas experienced particularly intense gusts, with Porter Ranch and the eastern Santa Monica Mountains seeing wind speeds reach up to 60 miles per hour.
Even coastal areas felt the impact, with Santa Monica and Los Angeles International Airport recording winds between 20 to 30 mph. Meteorologist Mike Wofford from the National Weather Service in Oxnard warned drivers traveling along the I-5 corridor to be prepared for strong winds.
The wind pattern is expected to shift to northeast winds Sunday night and continue into Monday. As a result, red flag warnings have been issued for Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. These warnings indicate a dangerous combination of strong winds and low humidity, creating ideal conditions for rapid fire spread.
Despite the windy conditions, temperatures remain mild across the Los Angeles region, with highs in the low to mid-70s on Sunday. This warm weather is forecasted to persist throughout the week.
Residents in affected areas are advised to stay informed about local weather updates and exercise caution, particularly when it comes to fire safety. The combination of strong winds and low humidity significantly increases the potential for large fires, making it critical for everyone to remain vigilant and prepared.