Seal Beach Summer Weather, Red Flag Warnings For Inland OC

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Batten down the hatches, everyone. A red flag warning of critical fire danger conditions is in effect from 4 p.m. Thursday to 4 p.m. Friday for the inland Orange County and the Santa Ana mountains.

According to the NWS, wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph are anticipated across many affected areas. Forecasters said winds are expected to die down Saturday night through Sunday. Still, they'll pick up again Monday through Tuesday or Wednesday, "with a growing potential for moderate to strong winds and red flag conditions."

According to the NWS, coastal areas will see temperatures in the 80s by Thursday and Friday.

A similar red flag warning was in effect for Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Los Angeles County mountains, Angeles National Forest, and the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys.

Santa Ana winds will return to the Southland Thursday, bringing the region a taste of warm winter weather and raising the risk of wildfires with gusty and dry conditions.

Winds began building Wednesday afternoon to our north, most notably in the western San Fernando Valley, where gusts of 35 to 45 mph were reported, according to the National Weather Service.

A high-pressure system advanced into the area, and forecasters said it would bring warm and dry conditions, pushing humidity levels down starting Thursday afternoon, possibly into the 5 to 10% range.

The tinder-dry conditions are expected to continue into at least Saturday.

"North to northeast winds will form over Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Thursday and continue through Friday, with dry air descending over the region starting late Thursday afternoon or night," according to the NWS. "Along with persistently dry fuels, this combination of wind and humidity will result in critical fire weather conditions over the valleys and mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon, with a chance of needing to be extended into Saturday. There is also a chance that the coastal areas will need to be added."