Santa Anas Return With Balmy Weather

The San Fernando Valley should be hot and windy today as the Santa Ana winds return to push temperatures into the 90s, weather experts said Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to be “up to 95 in most places,” said Bruce Rockwell, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

Strong, gusty winds--especially in passes and canyons--are expected to continue until at least 3 p.m. today, said Gary Ryan, another weather service meteorologist. The winds could continue into Tuesday.

Santa Ana winds, which are more common in the fall, occur when a high-pressure system hovers to the north and east of Los Angeles and a low-pressure system sits to the west, Ryan said. Desert areas already reported Santa Ana winds early on Sunday, he said.

Ryan warned that gusts may reach 45 mph in San Fernando Valley passes and canyons and up to 60 mph in the Cajon Pass near San Bernardino.

No rain is expected this week as the jet stream continues to flow well to the north of the area, although fog and low clouds may return later in the week, Ryan said.

“We have a strong south swell at the beaches,” Ryan said, adding that the Santa Anas will help push wave heights up to 8 feet for some south-facing beaches. “It’s a surfer’s delight.”