Red Flag Warning Through Sunday

Gusty sundowner winds will persist across portions of the Santa Barbara south coast and mountains through Sunday evening, with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph common. The strongest winds with this event will likely be focused in the hills above Montecito Hills where gusts as high as 55 mph are expected tonight, increasing to 60 to 70 mph on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Humidities between 10 and 25 percent will be common during this event, with poor recoveries at night in the foothills and windy canyons. The driest conditions are expected on Saturday. The combination of the gusty sundowner winds, low humidities, and dry fuels has
prompted this Red Flag Warning issuance.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty sundowner winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 4 PM this afternoon to 10 PM PDT Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* Winds…North 20 to 35 mph with gusts 40 to 50 mph. Isolated  gusts up to 55 mph near Montecito Hills tonight, increasing to 60 to 70 mph Saturday night into Sunday.

* Relative Humidity…Minimum humidities 10 to 25 percent, with driest conditions likely on Saturday. Poor recoveries at night in the foothills and windy canyons.

* Impacts…If fire ignition occurs, conditions would be favorable for very rapid spread of wildfire and extreme fire behavior which would threaten life and property.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected. This in combination with dry fuels can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Use extreme caution with potential fire ignition sources.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning.

WIND ADVISORY

Santa Barbara County South Coast-Santa Barbara County Mountains- Including the cities of Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, San Marcos Pass, San Rafael Wilderness Area, and Dick Smith Wilderness Area

1048 AM PDT Fri Oct 18 2019

…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT SATURDAY…

* WHAT…North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph.

* WHERE…Southern Santa Barbara County. Strongest below passes  and canyons.

* WHEN…Until 11 AM PDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will make driving difficult and could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Gusty winds will likely continue through Sunday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Source: National Weather Service