Santa Ana Winds Bring Fire Danger for Southern California

news image
Top Stories
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.

All Weather News
More
Large Hail Hits the Midwest, Strong Storms Return Next Week

Large Hail Hits the Midwest, Strong Storms Return Next Week

A strong cold front raced across the Midwest

27 Mar 2026 8:05 PM
Passing Fronts Increase Fire Danger

Passing Fronts Increase Fire Danger

It's been unbearably hot across the West for

27 Mar 2026 7:10 PM
Southwest Pattern Change Ahead

Southwest Pattern Change Ahead

While much of the country, and in particular

27 Mar 2026 6:02 PM
More Record Highs Obliterated in Historic Heat Wave

More Record Highs Obliterated in Historic Heat Wave

ABOVE - The month of March has been setting r

27 Mar 2026 3:05 PM
PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

Top Image Credit: National Parks ServiceSprin

27 Mar 2026 2:05 PM
Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

Heavy rainfall from moisture that inundated t

24 Mar 2026 9:45 AM
Powerful Kona Low Devastates Hawaii Over the Weekend

Powerful Kona Low Devastates Hawaii Over the Weekend

After record shattering rain and hurricane fo

23 Mar 2026 4:30 PM