Critical Fire Weather Conditions, Smoky Skies In Del Mar

DEL MAR, CA – A red flag warning has been extended through Sunday night as critical fire weather conditions are expected to continue in Del Mar 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 Del Mar through the weekend:

Friday
Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 73. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph after midnight.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 75. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 57. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 73.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Image by Autumn Johnson, Patch Staff