Santa Ana winds expected to blow into Southern California this week
Vegetation is dry and sparse along a panoramic dirt trail in Runyon Canyon Park on Sept. 28. The California fire season is just beginning and with the tinder-dry brush and Santa Ana winds possible, the southland is prime for big brushfires.
Light showers expected Monday will eventually make way for warmer weather and Santa Ana winds this week, the National Weather Service said.
There’s a 20% chance of rain in the foothills along the 210 Freeway but nothing like the showers that drenched the Antelope Valley last week, said senior forecaster Andrew Rorke.
Rain isn’t expected elsewhere as the weather gradually warms up in the afternoon.
For the rest of the region, temperatures will hover in the lower 80s except downtown, where it will be a few degrees cooler Monday, Rorke said.
The thermometer will climb a few degrees every day, he said. On Wednesday, the heat is expected to combine with Santa Ana wind gusts from 15 to 25 mph, Rorke said.
“Things are going to dry out,” he cautioned.
But the breezy weather is only temporary, with winds expected to die down as temperatures continue to climb into the weekend. It could be in the lower 90s across the Southland by Saturday, Rorke said.
The conditions will only further dry out Southern California hillsides parched by years of drought.
For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna.
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