We’re not ones for fear mongering, but when the National Weather service says that it has high confidence that a “life-threatening, destructive, widespread” windstorm is headed for Los Angeles with the potential for “extreme fire behavior,” well that kind of gets your attention.
The NWS has issued both a high wind warning and a red flag warning, with the most damaging conditions due to impact the northern portion of the L.A. Basin as well as both the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys. From 4pm on Tuesday until 6pm on Wednesday, those areas (and even others outside of them) could see winds between 25 and 50mph, with gusts between 60 and 80mph—and even as high as 100mph in some mountainous areas.
While L.A. is no stranger to Santa Ana Winds, a slight shift in typical wind direction will bring the most damaging gusts farther east and therefore cover more of L.A. County than usual (most Santa Ana events focus on the Ventura County coastline). As a result, the NWS predicts that the storm will likely be as destructive as the 2011 one that brought trees down in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley foothills.
HEADS UP!!! A LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE, Widespread Windstorm is expected Tue afternoon-Weds morning across much of Ventura/LA Co. Areas not typically windy will be impacted. See graphic for areas of greatest concern. Stay indoors, away from windows, expect poweroutages. #LA pic.twitter.com/yl83LxeMEc
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 6, 2025
The agency says to expect downed trees and power lines (and therefore likely power outages), as well as “extreme” fire conditions; given just how dry the air and vegetation are in the region right now, the windy weather pattern will create “a high risk for very rapid fire spread and large fire growth, extreme fire behavior and long range spotting.” Though the winds will likely die down a bit, those fire conditions could extend into Friday.
The areas most likely to be impacted are the San Gabriel Mountains and foothills as well as the rest of the San Gabriel Valley; the San Fernando Valley, including along the corridor north along the 5 and west into Simi Valley; portions of the L.A. Basin, including Hollywood and Beverly Hills; and the eastern Santa Monica Mountains, including the Sepulveda Pass and coastal areas in Malibu.
Widespread EXTREME #FireWeather conditions are expected across Southwest California late today through Friday due to strong #SantaAnaWinds.
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) November 5, 2024
Use extreme caution with any potential ignition sources. Stay alert to the forecast and follow instruction from emergency officials. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/kAksUScLxz
The NWS urges Angelenos to remain in the lower levels of their homes during the windstorm and to avoid windows. It also cautions to watch for falling debris and tree limbs and to use caution when driving.