Headline:
Fire Weather Watch issued January 5 at 10:27AM PST until January 8 at 6:00PM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Event:
Fire Weather Watch
Urgency:
Future
Effective:
January 5, 2025 - 10:27am
Expires:
January 5, 2025 - 6:30pm
Description:
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH
FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR POTENTIAL WIDESPREAD STRONG/DAMAGING NORTH
TO NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MUCH OF LOS
ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY
FOR LA COUNTY COAST EXTENDING INTO PALOS VERDES, AND CATALINA
ISLAND DUE TO MODERATE TO STRONG NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...
.While there is still some uncertainty in this week's strong wind
event and corresponding humidity levels at the onset, the most
likely outcome is for widespread strong/damaging north to
northeast winds with an extended period of dangerous Red Flag
conditions. While the longer duration of strong winds is expected
to be focused across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, there is a
20-30 percent chance of shorter duration Red Flag conditions
across portions of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
With widespread damaging winds likely between Tuesday afternoon
and Wednesday night in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, there
will be an increased risk for downed trees and powerlines, as well
as power outages. There is also the potential for moderate to
strong north to northeast winds for the LA county coast
(especially Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, and Sepulveda Pass)
extending into Palos Verdes and Catalina Island Tuesday night into
Wednesday, resulting in the Fire Weather Watch for these areas.
There is a high probability of strong mountain wave wind
conditions during the peak of the event Tuesday afternoon into
Wednesday night, which could bring strong/damaging winds to areas
that typically do not see strong winds, including portions of the
San Gabriel Valley and San Fernando Valley. There is a high risk
of long duration critical fire weather conditions for much of
LA/Ventura counties between Tuesday and Friday, with upgrades to
Red Flag Warnings in highest confidence areas likely later today.
* WINDS...Most Likely Outcome-Moderate to strong north to
northeast winds Tuesday night into Wednesday with sustained
winds of 20 to 35 mph and potential damaging wind gusts of 40
to 60 mph. Strongest winds likely in the Hollywood Hills,
Beverly Hills, Sepulveda Pass, Palos Verdes extending into
Catalina Island.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Most Likely Outcome-Humidities likely
falling to between 20 and 30 percent in many areas by Tuesday
afternoon, then widespread 15 percent or less potentially
Tuesday night into Wednesday. There is also a chance of
localized single digit humidities on Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable
for rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, including
long range spotting, which would threaten life and property.
There will be the potential for downed trees and powerlines,
as well as power outages.
Instruction:
A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are likely to occur in the coming days. Residents near wildland
interfaces should prepare now on what to do if a wildfire breaks
out. See readyforwildfire.org and wildfirerisk.org for
information..
Area Description:
Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands; Los Angeles County Beaches; Palos Verdes Hills; Los Angeles County Inland Coast including Downtown Los Angeles
Forcast Office:
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA