Santa Ana Winds Bring Fire Danger for Southern California

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31 Dec 2025 3:15 PM

Fall and winter become Santa Ana season for southern California. It looks like 2024 will end and 2025 will begin with a round of the signature dry, gusty, fire danger inducing winds. Santa Ana winds are offshore, or northeasterly, winds that descend in elevation in southern California. High pressure over the Great Basin sets up the pattern. As the winds get closer to sea level, they speed up, warm the air and dry things out. This often greatly increases the risk of wildfires.

A Santa Ana setup will stir up some dry, gusty winds that have prompting Red Flag Warnings and an elevated fire threat for portions of Southern California.

Red Flag warnings have been issued for areas like the Santa Monica Mountains due to the wind and low humidity.

Fire danger is also elevated for areas in Texas.

Make sure to tune into Weather Nation for more details.

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