Weather Watch
Hot, dry weather contributed to the combustible mix fueling Tuesday’s fire. Temperatures were in the 90s in many places around the county and reached 100 in Santa Ana, 21 degrees higher than normal for this date. The 100-degree reading fell short of the Oct. 14 record of 104, set in 1961.
HEAT
Tuesday highs
Anaheim: 93
Dana Point: 86
Fullerton: 95
John Wayne Airport: 93
Laguna Beach: 90
Lake Forest: 93
Newport Beach: 83
San Juan Capistrano: 94
Santa Ana: 100
Forecast: Hot again today; cooling expected to begin Thursday, with the highs down to 75 degrees on the coast and 80 degrees inland by Sunday.
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WIND
When the fire started Monday night, winds in the canyon areas were blowing at 40 miles per hour, with gusts up to 100 mph. By 3 p.m. Tuesday, they had subsided to 20 mph with little gusting.
Forecast: Gusty winds up to 30 mph in canyons through Wednesday night. Normal 10- to 20-mph wind conditions will return by Thursday. Elsewhere in the county, light winds to 15 mph, with some occasional gusts up to 20 through Wednesday. Light winds through the weekend.
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HUMIDITY
Tuesday’s humidity reports ranged from 9% to 18%, far below the normal 45-50%
Forecast: Onshore winds return by Thursday, bringing ocean moisture inland. Possible low clouds with fog along the coast Friday and into the weekend.
Source: WeatherData Inc.
Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times
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