Newport Beach: Gusty Week, Fire Weather Forecast

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — The National Weather Service has called for red flag warnings denoting a high danger of wildfire in force Monday and through at least Thursday in Los Angeles and Orange counties because of strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity.

This will likely be the strongest and longest duration Santa Ana wind event we have seen so far this season, which runs from late September through April, according to an NWS statement. "If fire ignition occurs, there will be the potential for very rapid fire spread ... and extreme fire behavior."

The strongest of this week's winds will be Monday and Tuesday, said NWS meteorologist Curt Kaplan.
Santa Ana winds could persist into Friday or Saturday, which would requite that red flag warnings to be extended, the NWS said.

A red flag warning will also be in force until Thursday night in both coastal and inland Orange Country, where winds of 20-30 mph gusting to 55 mph are expected, although gusts of 70-80 mph are possible Tuesday and Thursday, according to the NWS. Humidity levels in Orange County will fall to 10 percent Monday but dip to around 5 percent between Tuesday and Thursday.

Wind advisories of varying severity were in effect along with the red flag warnings.

Sunny skies were also forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 67 in Laguna Beach and San Clemente; 70 in Mission Viejo; 71 in Newport Beach and Yorba Linda; 72 in Irvine; and 73 in Anaheim and Fullerton. Orange County temperatures will reach the low 80s by Thursday.

4-day Forecast for Newport Beach-Corona Del Mar

Today, breezy and partly cloudy starting later this afternoon.

Tuesday December 5

Breezy throughout the day. High 67, low 51.
Chance of precipitation: 8%. Wind 20 mph from the NE

Wednesday December 6

Clear throughout the day. High 72, low 49.
Chance of precipitation: 9%. Wind 12 mph from the NE

Thursday December 7

Breezy in the morning and partly cloudy overnight. High 74, low 50.
Chance of precipitation: 4%. Wind 11 mph from the NE

Friday December 8

Mostly cloudy starting in the evening. High 73, low 49.
Chance of precipitation: 6%. Wind 5 mph from the NNE
Data provided by darksky.net.

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