Strong Santa Ana Winds To Sweep Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Santa Ana winds were still roaring through Riverside County on Saturday and weren't expected to die down until the evening and into Sunday, weather officials said.

A high-wind warning took effect at 3 p.m. on Friday to run until 6 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

"Winds will be strongest on the coastal mountain slopes of the San Bernardino mountains, where gusts in excess of 70 mph are expected. For the Inland Empire and inland Orange County, expect widespread gusts of 40 to 60 mph," the NWS said.

Wind gusts reached up to 89 mph in Fremont Canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains, weather officials said.

"Winds have been strong in areas overnight and this morning," NWS officials said. "The strongest winds are occurring below the Santa Ana Mountains and San Bernardino County mountains."

Relative humidity levels were predicted to fall into the teens amid the strong winds, elevating fire danger throughout the region, according to meteorologists.

"Winds will diminish late Saturday into Sunday as the surface high pressure relaxes," according to the NWS.

The upside in the forecast is that the high pressure dominating the region during the Santa Anas will keep the skies clear, meaning sunshine through the weekend.

Daytime temps will range in the low- to mid-70s in the Riverside metropolitan area until Sunday, with lows in the mid-40s, according to the Weather Service.

In the Coachella Valley, highs will crest in the mid-70s, with lows in the low 50s, and in the Temecula Valley, high temperatures will remain in the upper 60s, with lows in the low 40s.

City News Service contributed to this report.

#SantaAna Winds have been strong in areas overnight and this morning. The strongest winds are occurring below the Santa Ana Mountains and San Bernardino County mountains. Here are the top gusts. 🍃 #CAwx https://t.co/v8sltlkSDC pic.twitter.com/nF8tCZGoZg
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) January 22, 2022