Santa Ana winds are expected to bring dry wildfire conditions to Southern California on New Year’s Eve, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures in the Los Angeles metro area are expected to be in the upper 60s to upper 70s on Tuesday, dropping to around 50 degrees by Tuesday night, NWS meteorologist Ryan Kittell said.
“It’s going to be pretty cold at night,” he said. “If you’re going to be doing anything outside, be sure to bring a jacket.”
A red flag warning is in effect for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the weather service.
Winds are expected to peak Tuesday into Wednesday, with peak gusts around 30 to 45 mph in mountainous and hilly areas, according to the weather service. Humidity in mountains above 4,000 feet is expected to be less than 10 percent, while humidity in lower mountains will be in the 8 to 20 percent range.
Last month’s wildfires, fueled by Santa Ana winds, leveled 243 structures and damaged dozens more in Camarillo and other communities in western Ventura County. It was Southern California’s third most destructive wildfire in a decade.
Strong Santa Ana winds from Malibu are expected to blow into the Santa Monica Mountains and San Fernando Valley over the next few days, bringing gusts of 20 to 30 mph, Kittle said. Winds are not expected to be that strong in Pasadena, where the Rose Bowl game and Rose Parade will be held on New Year’s Day.
Kittel warned of the potential for wildfires due to strong winds and dry conditions and urged people to be extra cautious about anything that could spark a fire.
“Don’t set off fireworks where there are a lot of trees and shrubs,” he added.
