Santa Ana Winds to Blow Into Town
‘Tis the season for Santa Ana winds.
Weather forecasters predicted Monday that the strongest Santa Anas of the year could arrive in Orange County today and continue with increasing strength through Wednesday. Gusts of up to 35 m.p.h. were expected to begin by late afternoon, said Steve Burback, a meteorologist for WeatherData, which provides forecasts for The Times.
Wednesday’s winds should be even stronger, Burback said.
The Santa Anas, a common term for northeast winds that often arrive in the fall and blow from the mountains to the ocean, should bring warmer weather to the coast and cooler temperatures to the inland and desert areas, Burback said. Temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the 80s were expected today in most Orange County cities, Burback said.
A similar weather pattern hit the Santa Barbara area Monday, causing that city to record the nation’s highest temperature at 97 degrees, Burback said.
Burback said the Santa Ana wind condition is caused by cool, dry air building up in the inland areas. The result is a wind coming off the mountainous plateaus toward the ocean and rapidly rising temperatures in the coastal areas, he said.
“Orange County is a prime location for these downsloping winds. They run through the canyons and passes,” Burback said.
Typically, the prevailing winds in Southern California are westerly, from the ocean toward the desert areas, Burback said.
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