Extreme Fire Weather Thursday in Inland OC

MISSION VIEJO, CA — On Thursday, Oct. 20 it was 80-degrees and sunny in Mission Viejo at 11 a.m. but temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-90s. A red flag warning for fire weather continues for Inland Orange County through 8 p.m. tonight.

Inland Orange County continued to experience Santa Ana winds, low humidity which add to the critical weather conditions. Those winds are expected to weaken Friday, though hot and dry weather will persist. The wind advisory for inland Orange County is in effect until after 2 p.m. Thursday.

Winds that will gust from northeast to east from 15- to 25-mph with occasional 35-50-mph gusts possible through Thursday evening, along with low humidity, from 6- to 10-percent in Inland Orange County. That combination of low relative humidity and strong wind with warm temperatures contribute to the extreme fire behavior.

Those wind gusts can also make driving difficult, especially in mountain passes, such as the Ortega Highway. High profile vehicles are advised to use extra caution through Thursday night and Friday morning.

"The unseasonably hot conditions during the daytime will likely result in an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for the homeless, elderly, infants, and anyone participating in outdoor activities," warned an NWS statement.

It recommended drinking plenty of water, wearing lightweight, light- colored clothing, making use of air conditioning, and never leaving people or pets in cars parked in the heat.

Cooler weather is coming, along with higher humidity that will drop into the area over the weekend and provide a chance for light rain by Sunday and Monday.

The NWS forecast sunny skies Thursday Orange County, along with highs of 82 in Newport Beach; 83 in San Clemente; 88 in Laguna Beach; 96 in Mission Viejo; 97 in Irvine; 98 in Anaheim; 99 in Fullerton; and 101 in Yorba Linda.

Los Angeles County will also have sunny skies and windy, extreme fire weather conditions. Highs of 84 in Palmdale; 85 in Lancaster; 87 on Mount Wilson; 89 in Avalon; 93 in Saugus; 94 in Pasadena and at LAX; 96 in Burbank; 97 in San Gabriel; 98 in downtown L.A.; and 99 in Long Beach and Woodland Hills. The normal high at this time of the year is 76 in downtown L.A. and around 80 in the San Fernando Valley.

NWS meteorologist Andrew Rorke attributed the unseasonable heat to the warm Santa Ana winds and to a large high-pressure system parked over the region.

Friday's temperatures will be a few degrees lower at the start of a cooling trend. Saturday's will be several degrees lower.

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