Statement as of 2:00 PM PDT on October 10, 2008
Expires 9:00 AM EDT on October 11, 2008
... Changes coming to the Southern California weather pattern over
the Holiday weekend...
A developing weather system over the western United States will
intensify and push southward over the weekend. This will bring a
variety of weather to Southern California.
In advance of a strong cold front associated with this system...
winds will increase out of the west and southwest today and tonight.
The strongest winds will be in the mountain and desert areas through
Saturday morning. A Wind Advisory is in effect through late tonight
for the mountains and deserts. Winds in these areas will be
sustained 25 to 35 mph with gusts as high as 50 mph in some
locations. A red flag warning is also in effect for the High Desert
areas intil 8 PM this evening. The winds will diminish after the
front passes Saturday morning.
As the storm system moves east on Saturday and Sunday... cold air
will spill into the Great Basin area of Nevada and begin to move
into southwest California. Saturday will be the coolest day since
last winter. The cold air will also set the stage for the first
significant offshore wind... .or Santa Ana... event of the season. The
strongest winds will be from late Sunday night through Monday
morning. The winds will continue... but weaken Monday night and
Tuesday. Humdities will also be dropping rapidly beginning Sunday
afternoon and will stay low until Wednesday. Temperatures will be
above normal in the 80s west of the mountains... but not
the low humidities... combined with strong winds and very dry
vegetation... will produce hazardous fire conditions. It is expected
a Fire Weather Watch and a red flag warning will be issued for late
Sunday through Tuesday.
With the Santa Ana event winds are expected to be in the 20 to 40
mph range... and gusts in favored passes and canyons may top 60 mph.
Please take a moment to review you fire safety plans... and take
extra care to prevent the start of wildfires. Smoking materials
should be handled with caution.
Check back with the National Weather Service at weather.Gov/sandiego
for updates on this developing weather situation. Updates will be
provided as condtions change.
Purpura/pg/Horton/mm
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