Headline:
Fire Weather Watch issued January 5 at 2:40PM PST until January 10 at 6:00PM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Event:
Fire Weather Watch
Urgency:
Future
Effective:
January 5, 2025 - 2:40pm
Expires:
January 6, 2025 - 2:45pm
Description:
...WIDESPREAD DAMAGING NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS AND LONG DURATION
OF RED FLAG CONDITIONS LIKELY OVER MANY PORTIONS OF LOS ANGELES
AND VENTURA COUNTIES BETWEEN TUESDAY AND THURSDAY -- POSSIBLY
EXTENDING INTO FRIDAY...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND
SOUTHERN VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS/EASTERN VENTURA COUNTY VALLEYS
FROM 10 AM TUESDAY TO 6 PM THURSDAY -- FIRE WEATHER WATCHES REMAIN
THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL
PLAIN AND NORTHERN VENTURA MOUNTAINS FROM 10 AM TUESDAY TO 6 PM
FRIDAY...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM TUESDAY TO 8 PM
WEDNESDAY FOR THE LOS ANGELES COAST, PALOS VERDES, AND CATALINA
ISLAND...
.While there is still some uncertainty in this week's strong wind
event and corresponding humidity levels at the onset, there is
growing confidence for a widespread strong/damaging north to
northeast wind event 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 from Tuesday afternoon into
Wednesday across portions of 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 evening
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, 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. Fire Weather Watches have
been converted to Red Flag Warnings in the Tuesday through
Thursday time frame for areas where there is highest confidence of
reaching critical Red Flag thresholds.
* WINDS...Most Likely Outcome-Moderate to strong/damaging north to
northeast wind event Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday afternoon
with sustained winds of 30 to 50 mph and widespread damaging
wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph in the northern mountains, and
sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts of 40 to 60 mph
across the Ventura county coastal plain. Moderate north to
northeast winds with gusts 30 to 40 mph will likely persist
Thursday, with some weakening possible by Friday.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Most Likely Outcome-Humidities likely
falling to between 20 and 30 percent across the Ventura county
coastal plain by Tuesday afternoon, but likely remaining above
50 percent in the northern mountains. Humidities will likely
fall Tuesday night into Wednesday, potentially below 15 percent
across the coastal plain and 15 to 30 percent in the northern
mountains.
* 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:
Ventura County Beaches; Ventura County Inland Coast; Northern Ventura County Mountains
Forcast Office:
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA