LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Southern California remains in critical fire danger in the coming days, and the National Weather Service has issued a "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warning - the highest-level alert the agency is capable of issuing - for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Although the upcoming Santa Ana winds will be weaker than those that ignited several fires last week, the NWS says they will still be "strong enough to potentially cause explosive fire growth."
The "particularly dangerous situation" warning was issued for the period between 4 a.m. Tuesday through noon Wednesday when the NWS says winds are expected to be in the 45-70 mph range, along with relative humidity as low as 8%.
Some of the areas covered by the "particularly dangerous situation" warning include: western San Gabriel Mountains/I-5 Corridor, Santa Susana Mountains, southern Ventura County Mountains, Ventura Valleys (mainly near Simi Valley, Moorpark, Santa Paula, South Mountain), northern San Fernando Valley, western Santa Monica Mountains and the Ventura County coastal plain.
This is the fourth time in three months the weather service in Los Angeles has issued the high-level alert, with the last one occurring last week when winds went up to 100 mph and the fires in Los Angeles County began. It's rare to see this type of alert.
A broader red flag warning for the region is expected to last through 6 p.m. Wednesday. There's a chance for light showers Friday and into the weekend.
In Los Angeles and Orange counties Monday, expect an afternoon high of 64 degrees, dropping to 42 overnight. Gusts will be around 35 mph Tuesday.
The valleys and Inland Empire Monday will reach a high of 61 and a low of 40. Gusts up to 45 mph are expected Tuesday.
Beaches Monday will be in the upper 60s and surf will be between 1-3 feet. Northeast winds will reach 40 mph Tuesday.
Mountain areas Monday will reach a high of 37 degrees and a chilly 14 is expected overnight. Mountain passes could see gusts around 40 mph Tuesday.
The deserts Monday will reach 55 degrees, dropping to 23 overnight.
Get the latest updates on the weather with the Free ABC7 Los Angeles app
Download the ABC7 app for weather alerts: Click here for iOS devices | click here for Android devices. If you have the app, turn on push notifications and personalize the app. Click on My News from the bottom menu, then star the topics you'd like to follow and tap Done.
Live radar: abc7.la/LiveMEGADOPPLER
Watches/Warnings: abc7.la/WxWarnings
Download the free Accuweather app for iPhone and Android devices.
Share your weather pictures and video with #ABC7Eyewitness