Santa Anas push Southern California temps toward 90 degrees this weekend
Gusts up to 55 mph and red flag warnings cover key fire zones in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
By Ethan Cook ·
Santa Ana winds arrived in Southern California on Thursday, driving temperatures toward 90 degrees and raising fire danger to critical levels in mountain regions. Meteorologist Rich Thompson of the National Weather Service in Oxnard described the system as weak to moderate, with conditions intensifying through the weekend.
The weather shift reversed the cool, rainy conditions observed around Halloween. Residents are facing warm, dry, and breezy conditions that increase the likelihood of ignition. Thompson noted that the winds are expected to peak on Saturday.
Gusts in the 30-to-45-mph range are forecast for many areas. In isolated mountainous parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, wind speeds may reach 55 mph. The heat will be most pronounced along the coast, where highs near 90 degrees are common.
Downtown Los Angeles is projected to hit 87 degrees on Sunday. Santa Monica is expected to be slightly cooler at 84 degrees. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings starting Saturday and continuing through Sunday. These warnings cover the western San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Clarita Valley, the Santa Susanna Mountains, and the Santa Monica Mountains.
In San Diego and Orange counties, the coastline will be 10 to 20 degrees above normal temperatures. The Inland Empire and San Diego valleys will see highs 10 to 15 degrees above normal. Temperatures are expected to peak on Sunday, with Irvine and San Diego reaching 89 degrees and Oceanside at 88 degrees.
The current wind event follows a previous Santa Ana episode that sparked several fires. The largest of those was the 570-acre Norte fire in San Clemente. The red flag warnings also echo the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles, prompting renewed scrutiny of local preparedness efforts.
After the heat and winds subside, an atmospheric river may bring rain during the weekend of Nov. 13 and 14. Thompson stated that the possibility of precipitation remains, though specific details are still unclear.
