Wind Season Whips Up
Monday marked the first day of the Santa Ana wind season--a time when hot air gusting over parched summer fauna can spark raging wildfires. Most areas of Orange County escaped with only minor wind increases, but remote Fremont Canyon saw gusts reach 79 mph. What happens during Santa Ana conditions:
Mid-Afternoon onshore breeze: Ocean breeze counters desert wind
Early morning offshore breeze: Ocean breeze wanes, opening door to desert winds.
Source: Mark Moede, National Weather Service meteorologist; California Department of Water Resources
Fremont Canyon winds on Monday:
Max. gust: 79 mph
Avg. speed: 45 mph
Graphics reporting by BRADY MacDONALD / The Los Angeles Times
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