Critical Fire Weather, Smoky Skies In Carlsbad

CARLSBAD, CA – A red flag warning has been extended through Sunday night as critical fire weather conditions are expected to continue in Carlsbad and across San Diego County.

Periods of strong Santa Ana winds and very low humidity are forecast, according to the National Weather Service. Winds will gradually weaken Friday and Saturday, but fire weather conditions are expected to linger in some areas through Sunday.

"A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly," the weather service said. "A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior."

Here are the weather conditions the National Weather Service is forecasting for Carlsbad through the weekend:

Friday
Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 74. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 74. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 74.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

Image by Autumn Johnson, Patch Staff