Parts of SoCal face elevated fire danger amid high winds; red flag and high wind warnings in effect

Saturday, May 16, 2026 5:52PM

Red Flag Warning issued for parts of SoCal amid high winds

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Southern California will see mild weekend temperatures, but strong winds are expected to elevate fire danger as a red flag warning takes effect Saturday in some areas.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the Antelope Valley and adjacent western foothills. It will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Strong west to northwest winds and low relative humidity are expected across the area covered by the warning, increasing the risk of large and fast-moving grass fires, the NWS said.

"While the best overlap of strong winds and low humidities will likely occur during the Red Flag Warning period, there will be an extended elevated fire threat persisting through Sunday due to gusty winds and low to moderate humidities," said the NWS.

A high wind warning is in place for part of Los Angeles until 11 p.m. Sunday. A wind advisory will be in effect from 2 p.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Sunday for Riverside County.

The return of May gray conditions this week dropped temperatures to around the mid-to-upper 70s and low-80s. Now, we're tracking yet another warmup as it makes its way into the region. It is expected to ramp up early next week, rising temperatures to the mid 80s in some areas.

Los Angeles and Orange counties on Saturday will see morning clouds, with a high of 70 degrees and a low of 57. Similar conditions are expected Sunday. More sunshine is expected over the weekend, but temperatures remain in the low 70s. Winds will linger through the weekend.

The valleys and Inland Empire on Saturday can expect cloudy skies to start the day, with a high of 78 degrees and a low of 52. Temperatures will bump back up to the high 80s next week.

Beaches on Saturday will see cloudy skies in the morning and sunshine later in the day. Expect a high of 67 degrees and a low of 59.

Mountain communities can expect gusty conditions, with winds up to 45 mph this weekend. A high of 66 degrees and a low of 35 is expected for Saturday.

Desert areas on Saturday will also see gusty winds up to 60 mph, with a high of 80 degrees and a low of 55. Palm Springs is expected to reach 94 degrees.

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