New Santa Ana event to spur record warmth in Southern California
As temperatures surge, Santa Ana winds will kick up over Southern California, which will raise new concerns for wildfires.
Debris and runoff from recent storms and the Palisades Fire are strewn across Santa Monica Beach, and officials are warning beachgoers of the potential hazards posed.
Soon after warmth builds over the interior southwestern United States, offshore winds will kick up and help bring the heat to coastal areas of Southern California, AccuWeather meteorologists say. The Santa Ana winds and warmth will drive up the wildfire risk.
"Temperatures will peak at 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit above the historical average across the interior Southwest in cities such as Phoenix, Las Vegas and Palm Springs, California," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Courtney Travis said.
Phoenix challenged its record high set the same year on Wednesday afternoon of 91, set in 1986. It fell just short with a high of 89 but was well above its historical average high temperatures. On Thursday, another daily record high of 92, set in the same year, will be challenged.
The late-winter warmth with no threat of lightning and downpours will likely spark interest in outdoor activities in the deserts. People are encouraged to take the heat seriously and to pack plenty of water for hiking and other ventures.
"As high pressure builds over the interior West by midweek, it will create stiff breezes that are forced over the mountains and through the canyons in Southern California," Travis said.
This wind event, also known as a Santa Ana, will push the warmth into coastal areas of Southern California.
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At the same time, the winds, moisture-starved air and drying landscape after rains earlier in the month will cause the wildfire threat to increase.
Fortunately, winds are not expected to be extreme with this Santa Ana event. Travis said most gusts will range between 20 and 40 mph, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ gust of 60 mph.
Experts recommend taking care and using common sense. Even this low-end Santa Ana can still lead to quickly spreading wildfires from open flames, sparks or outdoor power equipment. Be vigilant and promptly report smoke to local fire companies and authorities.
"The winds will help boost temperatures in coastal areas of Southern California. Downtown Los Angeles can challenge the record on Thursday," Travis said, "Thursday's record of 86 was set in 2020."
Record highs generally in the mid-80s F will be challenged over much of the Los Angeles area on Thursday, including Riverside, Long Beach, Santa Ana and Burbank, California.
Winds are forecast to ease up late in the week, and temperatures should return to near the historical average. Around the same time, a weak storm will pivot southeastward across the region.
Since this storm may struggle to grab much moisture from the Pacific Ocean, rainfall will be highly sporadic. Nonetheless, there could be spotty shower activity over Southern California from Friday to Friday night.
Soon after that storm pivots inland, another storm system will drop in over the weekend.
Since the atmosphere will be a bit more moist in the wake of the Friday storm, there will be a better chance for a few showers later in the weekend in Southern California. The risk of showers will increase on Sunday with some rain likely in the Hollywood, California, vicinity, during the evening hours when the Academy Awards will take place.
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