Red Flag Warning Issued For San Diego County As Santa Ana Winds Return

SAN DIEGO, CA — More gusty winds and low relative humidity are expected this week in San Diego County, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a new wind advisory and red flag warning for parts of the region.

A wind advisory and red flag warning are in effect from 4 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Wednesday for the county's mountains and valleys. Northeast winds from 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts up to 55 mph along and below the coastal slopes of the mountains.

"Critical fire weather conditions will spread southward today and continue through Wednesday afternoon," NWS San Diego forecasters wrote Monday. "Onshore flow will return with weaker winds and cooler days for Friday and Saturday. There will be a slight chance for light precipitation for the weekend, mainly west of the mountains."

Forecasters warned that gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down. Winds could also cause power outages.

Conditions will remain very dry, even in the coastal areas, according to the NWS. Relative humidity will be as low as 11%.

"If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior," forecasters said.