Red Flag Warning 01/07/2025 14:37 for California areas

Headline: 
Red Flag Warning issued January 7 at 2:37PM PST until January 9 at 6:00PM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Event: 
Red Flag Warning
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
January 7, 2025 - 2:37pm
Expires: 
January 10, 2025 - 5:00pm
Description: 
...PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM WEDNESDAY DUE TO DAMAGING NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS/ SAN GABRIEL AND SAN FERNANDO VALLEYS (ESPECIALLY FOOTHILLS)/ BEVERLY AND HOLLYWOOD HILLS/ COASTAL AREAS ADJACENT TO SEPULVEDA PASS / SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS / SANTA SUSANA MOUNTAINS / MALIBU / EASTERN VENTURA VALLEY (MAINLY NEAR SIMI VALLEY/MOORPARK) -- THIS WILL LIKELY BE A LIFE THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE, AND WIDESPREAD WINDSTORM... ...RED FLAG WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND MUCH OF VENTURA COUNTY---SEE TIMINGS IN HEADLINES BELOW... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR SANTA BARBARA MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EASTERN SANTA YNEZ RANGE INTO WEDNESDAY... ***THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) FOR PORTIONS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES!*** .A very strong, widespread, and destructive north to northeast windstorm will bring Extremely Critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and eastern Ventura counties into early Wednesday afternoon. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) Red Flag Warning event in many areas, with the combination of very strong upper level wind support, tightening offshore pressure gradients (LAX-Daggett peaking at - 7 to -8 mb), and moderate cold air advection. The strongest winds with this event are expected to be this evening into early Wednesday afternoon when widespread damaging wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph are likely. The San Gabriel mountains, Santa Susana mountains, and foothills of the San Gabriel/San Fernando Valleys will likely see areas of destructive wind gusts between 80 and 100 mph! Due to the very strong upper level wind support and high risk for strong mountain wave activity, typical wind sheltered areas such as portions of the LA basin and San Gabriel Valley. The strong winds will likely result in widespread downed trees/powerlines, as well as widespread power outages. THIS WILL LIKELY BE THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE WINDSTORM SEEN SINCE 2011 WINDSTORM THAT DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO PASADENA AND NEARBY FOOTHILLS OF THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY. ANY COMMUNITIES ALONG HIGHWAY 118 AND 210 CORRIDORS WILL BE AT HIGHEST RISK FOR COMPARABLE WIND DAMAGE. Humidity levels are also expected to lower to between 10 and 20 percent in many areas by this evening, potentially lowering into single digits in some areas by Wednesday. AREAS IN A RED FLAG WARNING (ESPECIALLY DURING THE PDS TIME FRAME) WILL HAVE INCREASED RISK FOR LARGE FIRES WITH VERY RAPID FIRE SPREAD, EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR, AND LONG RANGE SPOTTING. Long duration Red Flag Warnings are in effect for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties Tuesday through Thursday, with Fire Weather Watches in effect Thursday night into Friday. There is a shorter duration of Red Flag conditions across the mountains of Santa Barbara county into Wednesday. * WINDS...Very strong/damaging north to northeast winds into Wednesday, likely peaking in many areas between this evening and early Wednesday afternoon when there is a high risk for strong mountain wave wind activity. During this peak, sustained winds of 40 to 60 mph and widespread damaging gusts of 70 to 100 mph can be expected. Moderate to locally strong north to northeast winds will likely persist Thursday with gusts of 40 to 60 mph, with some weakening possible by Friday. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Falling to 10 to 20 percent by this evening. Humidities will potentially fall to single digits in some areas from Wednesday into Friday. * IMPACTS...If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for very 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 Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. Use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire. Residents near wildland interfaces should be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire breaks out. See readyforwildfire.org and wildfirerisk.org for information. 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: 
Santa Susana Mountains; Western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor; Eastern San Gabriel Mountains
Forcast Office: 
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA