Gusty winds in inland Santa Ana forced the National Weather Service to issue red flag warnings throughout San Bernardino County on Monday.
Red flag warnings are in effect as strong Santa Ana winds dry out the atmosphere, creating fire dangers in the Inland Empire, the San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto, San Gabriel and eastern Ventura County.
A high wind warning is in effect for the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys and Thousand Oaks on Monday, with wind warnings set to expire at noon. Wind gusts of up to 45 km/h are expected.
High wind warning areas in the foothills of Los Angeles County could see even stronger winds, with gusts reaching 50 to 60 miles per hour.
According to meteorologist Amber Lee of KCAL News, the winds will peak Monday morning and are expected to decrease throughout the afternoon.
Winds are expected in Orange County and the Inland Empire until 4 p.m. on Monday.
Southern California Edison is warning that the utility may have to cut service to potentially 170,000 customers in five counties if winds become too strong. Around 10 a.m., power was turned off to 36 customers in Los Angeles County.
There will be a break in the winds on Tuesday, with temperatures rising slightly inland, and another round of Santa Ana winds is expected by Wednesday and Thursday. Stronger and more widespread winds are forecast for Wednesday morning.
