A Red Flag warning has been issued for the Santa Clarita weather forecast due to “very low” humidity levels and gusty winds raising the risk for brush fires, prompting possible public safety power shutoffs (PSPS).
Starting Thursday at 4 p.m., a Red Flag warning is set to go into effect lasting through Friday at 4 p.m. due to high gusty Santa Ana winds, said David Sweet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS).
“We are expecting northeast winds 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts to 50 miles per hour,” Sweet said.
Humidity levels are also expected to dip down to 5 percent creating very dry conditions, according to Sweet.
With the combination of very low humidity levels, gusty Santa Ana winds and temperatures in the high 80s, the criteria has been met to issue a red flag warning, according to officials.
For Santa Clarita residents living in prone areas for brush fires are being urged to be ready to evacuate if a fire is to ignite.
Due to the gusty Santa Ana winds, brush fires can be difficult to contain if they spark.
“Wind is the biggest driver of fire, not temperature,” said Sky Cornell, an inspector with the Los Angeles County Fire Department in a previous KHTS article.
Southern California Edison, (SCE) has also hinted at possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs, (PSPS) for areas of Castaic, Val Verde, parts of Canyon Country and Acton.
The PSPS monitoring is set to start at 6 p.m. Thursday lasting through 6 a.m. Sunday Jan. 17, according to SCE.
The Santa Clarita PSPS map as of Thursday morning. Photo Courtesy of Southern California Edison
However, if weather conditions change, the PSPS can start earlier and last longer, according to officials.
Although the red flag warning is set to end Friday, northeast winds of 15 mph are expected to last through Sunday evening, according to Sweet.
By next week, temperatures are expected to return to the mid 60s, which is considered normal for this time of year, according to Sweet.
There is a slight chance of rain toward the end of next week, but weather forecasters are saying it is unlikely for the system to form.
To see an up to date map of affected areas from the PSPS, click here.
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