Gusty Winds Expected in Orange County, San Bernardino, and Riverside Areas
Wind Advisory Issued for Southern California Amid Active Fire Conditions
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for parts of Southern California, effective through 1 p.m. Saturday. The alert comes as strong, gusty winds impact the region, including areas like Santa Clarita in north Los Angeles County where the Crown Fire ignited around 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
The advisory specifically covers the Orange County Inland area, as well as the valleys of San Bernardino and Riverside counties and the beaches of Ventura County. Forecasters predict northwest winds ranging from 15 to 30 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 50 mph.
According to the advisory, the most intense winds are expected in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, extending through the Cajon Pass and into the Inland Empire. NBC Los Angeles Meteorologist Kelly Moody emphasized that Friday’s conditions would be breezy throughout much of Southern California, particularly along the Santa Susana Pass and into the Santa Monica Mountains.
"That’s where the wind will be the strongest, but much of Southern California is at least going to be feeling that strong breeze at times," Moody noted. She highlighted Santa Clarita as a key area susceptible to Santa Ana winds, pointing out that strong gusts are common in this region when these winds are active.
For residents in the advisory area, Moody anticipates a reduction in wind activity by Friday evening and a further decrease on Saturday, although some breezy conditions may linger. A light breeze is expected to continue into Sunday morning.
Looking ahead, Moody indicated that an onshore flow will begin to move in on Sunday evening, which could lead to cooler temperatures next week and potentially some rain, although the specifics remain uncertain.
At approximately 11:49 a.m. Friday, conditions near the Crown Fire were reported as follows: temperatures between 60 and 64 degrees, relative humidity at 16-20%, and winds from the northeast to east at 18-24 mph with gusts ranging from 35 to 45 mph.
Fire Developments in Southern California
As of 1:20 p.m. Friday, the Crown Fire in Santa Clarita had spread to 80 acres in a predominantly unpopulated area near North Canyon Valley and Soledad Canyon roads, prompting evacuation orders. Meanwhile, an evacuation was also initiated in Moreno Valley due to the rapidly growing Springs Fire, which ignited around 11 a.m. on Gilman Springs Road and expanded to 1,000 acres within hours.
In March, California reported approximately 500 wildland fires that collectively burned around 2,000 acres. Comparatively, during the same period last year, 600 fires had consumed 59,170 acres. The state’s five-year average through March stands at 734 fires affecting 13,700 acres.
