Southern California under triple threat: heat, wind and fire risk

The first Santa Ana wind event of the season is expected to raise temperatures across Southern California, increasing the fire danger on Tuesday.

“We have big changes,” KTLA Meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said. “We are going to race out to a warm forecast today. This is one of those forecasts that by 9, 10, 11 o’clock in the morning, many of our inland areas are going to be feeling the heat … We’re going to be about 20 degrees warmer today.”

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat advisory from Tuesday morning through 7 p.m. Wednesday for portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. San Fernando Valley temperatures are expected to reach into the mid 90s on Tuesday.

“Keep in mind when we talk about heat advisories, it’s the heat relative to what is normal for that time of the year,” Henry said. “Even though we’ve had some hotter weather, this is going to be a big change.”

Santa Ana winds with gusts reaching 30 to 40 mph and relatively low humidity levels have also prompted the NWS to issue wind advisories and red flag warnings.

“If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior, rapid fire growth, and long-range spotting, which could threaten life and property,” the NWS said.

Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the warmest days of the week, with slightly cooler temperatures beginning Thursday.

“Your weekend, though, is looking a little bit better,” Henry said.