Red Flag Warnings Continue in Southern California Through Friday Morning
Red flag warnings, which indicate critical fire weather and rapid spread of fire if ignition occurs, are expected to continue in much of Southern California through Friday morning. The time of greatest danger is expected to be through Thursday at 6 p.m., with the risk gradually lowering through Friday morning.
Gusts of 25-40 mph are expected in Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Thursday night, weakening to 15-30 mph on Friday morning. The air will remain very dry, with relative humidity below 10%, keeping the risk of fire spread significant.
Red flag warnings are set to end at 10 a.m. Friday for much of Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties.
Rain is forecast to start as early as Saturday and last as late as Monday night, with the highest chance of falling between Saturday night and Sunday. Over a three-day period, downtown L.A., Long Beach, and Santa Clarita could receive three-fifths of an inch of rain, while Thousand Oaks and Redondo Beach could receive a little more than half an inch.
There is a 10-20% chance of thunderstorms, which could bring isolated, brief heavy rainfall at rates of half an inch an hour. A 5-10% chance of damaging debris flow is also possible in recently burned areas in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Additionally, there is a moderate risk of small hail.
Snow levels could fall to an elevation of 3,500-4,500 feet above sea level, with 5-10 inches of snow expected in the San Gabriel Mountains and 1-2 inches on the Tejon Pass, also known as the Grapevine section of Interstate 5.