Santa Ana winds linger into Friday as red flag warning remains in effect

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Santa Ana winds will stick around into Friday morning as most of the region remains under a critical fire risk.

The National Weather Service extended a red flag warning for much of the region until 6 p.m. Friday as opportunities for the winds to pick up again will linger. Also, a high wind warning is in effect for Inland Empire and Orange County areas through 6 a.m. Friday.

A new high pressure system is building from the north, which is expected to produce more gusty winds for SoCal - wind gusts are expected to reach 40 to 60 mph and 70 mph possible in the mountains.

To add to the fire danger, relative humidity could drop to as low as 5% for Southern California.

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

Friday weather

Forecasters said "winds will peak Thursday evening into early Friday morning, however, will not be as expansive nor as strong as this previous event. Humidity levels of 10 and 20 percent are expected, potentially lowering into single digits in some areas into Friday.''

Los Angeles and Orange counties can expect a high of 70 degrees with northeast canyons winds gusting up to 40 mph.

The valleys and Inland Empire will see a high of 70 and will drop to 39 overnight.

Beaches can expect a high around 65 degrees and surf between 2-5 feet. Wind gusts will reach 25 mph.

Mountain areas will see cold snow showers with a high of 49 degrees. Temperatures drop to a chilly 19 degrees overnight.

It'll be windy in the deserts. The high on Friday will reach 65. It'll be about 72 degrees 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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