Critical Fire Weather Conditions In Escondido

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

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming east 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 east 5 to 10 mph after midnight.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 54. East wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 81. Breezy.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

Image by Autumn Johnson, Patch Staff