Will Santa Ana winds continue threatening SoCal? Here's what to expect this weekend

Saturday, January 11, 2025 7:59AM

Here's what to expect from the Santa Ana winds in SoCal this weekend

Fire danger continues into the weekend as another round of Santa Ana winds blow through the region.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- As firefighters make some progress battling destructive wildfires in Southern California, fire danger continues into the weekend as another round of Santa Ana winds blow through the region.

The new wind event arrives Saturday night and is expected to last into Sunday morning. Wind speed is expected to be between 20-40 mph.

The region will get a break from strong winds Monday, but fire risk comes back Tuesday as more Santa Ana winds return.

In addition, the windy weather will create poor air quality in certain areas.

What to expect this weekend

In Los Angeles and Orange counties Saturday, expect an afternoon high of 69 degrees, dropping to 45 overnight. Night winds will gust up to 35-40 mph. The winds last into Sunday morning.

The valleys and Inland Empire Saturday will reach a high of 69 and a low of 39. Winds are expected around 40 mph at night.

Beaches will be in the lower 60s and surf between 2-4 feet. Wind gusts will reach 35 mph.

Mountain areas Saturday will reach a high of 49 degrees and a chilly 21 is expected overnight. Northeast canyons winds gusting up to 45 mph are expected.

The deserts Saturday will reach 63 degrees and it'll be about 75 in Palm Springs.

California's wildfire season typically begins in June or July and runs through October, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, but January wildfires are not unprecedented. There was one in 2022 and 10 in 2021, according to CalFire.

The season is beginning earlier and ending later due to rising temperatures and decreased rainfall tied to climate change, according to recent data. Rains that usually end fire season are often delayed, meaning fires can burn through the winter months, the association said.

The Associated Press, ABC News and City News Service contributed to this report.

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