Santa Ana Winds to Begin Weakening

Parched air will keep blasting in from Southern California’s deserts overnight, but the winds that fanned several brush fires Monday should begin losing their force sometime today, the National Weather Service said.

The Santa Anas, which had reduced relative humidity at Los Angeles Civic Center to 11% by mid-afternoon, were caused by the combination of a high pressure area over the interior western states and a low pressure area in upper altitudes centered over the northernmost portion of Baja California.

Meteorologists said that low should begin to weaken and move away to the east today, which should cause a corresponding decrease in the wind.

Meanwhile, the weather service said there would be little or no overnight relief from the wind, which was expected to be especially strong through east-west canyons and mountain passes. These winds were expected to exceed 45 m.p.h. at times in the mountains, while becoming more localized--though no less dangerous--in coastal areas below canyons and passes.