WILDFIRES POSSIBLE WITH VERY STRONG SANTA ANA WINDS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH THIS WEEKEND

Nov. 17, 2005 — Weather conditions, including strong winds in Southern California, will make fast moving wildfires possible through the weekend, according to forecasters from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla. (Click NOAA image for lager view of the fire weather outlook for Nov. 17, 2005, from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla. Click here for latest fire weather outlook. Please credit “NOAA.”)

"Conditions appear favorable for a very strong Santa Ana Wind event Thursday evening through at least Friday morning with sustained northeast (offshore) winds of 25 to 40 miles per hour and gusts to 50 to 60 miles per hour from the mountain passes of Southern California through coastal communities," Bothwell said. "Although the winds by mid-day Friday may diminish somewhat, they are expected to continue blowing strong offshore into Sunday."

"Adding to the fire weather conditions, relative humidity will be extremely low during the day with single digit humidity values expected, and very little in the way of any humidity recovery, even at night," Bothwell said. "A mild offshore/dry wind event has already been occurring, helping to dry out the fuels."

"The excessive rains of last winter have greatly increased the grasses and smaller vegetation which has dried out, resulting in extremely flammable fuels," Bothwell explained. "This is verified by the very high fire danger values being reported."

With the very high winds, warm temperatures, extremely low humidity and very high fire dangers, fast moving wildfires are possible. Bothwell recommends monitoring forecasts from local forecast offices in the NOAA National Weather Service's Western Region for the most current information.

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Relevant Web Sites
NOAA National Weather Service

NOAA National Weather Service Western Region

NOAA Fire Weather Information Center

NOAA Weather Safety

NOAA U.S. Hazards Assessment

NOAA U.S. Drought Assessment

NOAA Heat Index

NOAA Drought Information Center

NOAA Storm Watch

Media Contact:
Keli Tarp, NOAA Storm Prediction Center, (405) 366-0451