Gusty winds, dry conditions prompt red flag warning

Gusty winds from the northeast and dry conditions are expected in much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through the weekend, prompting authorities to issue a red flag warning for increased fire danger.

Wind gusts could reach up to 60 mph in the Santa Monica, Ventura and Los Angeles mountains through Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

The high winds are paired with low humidity -- below 15% -- forecast for late Saturday through Monday, said Scott Sukup, a meteorologist with the weather service.

The red flag warning goes into effect at 3 a.m. Sunday and is set to expire at 4 p.m. Monday, Sukup said.

There has been less than an inch of rain throughout the region since July 1, officials said. Normally the area would have had nearly four inches of rain by now.

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stephen.ceasar@latimes.com | Twitter: @stephenceasar