Damaging Winds, Cooler Temps Possible Later this Week
Southern California has recently been enjoying summertime temperatures, but the National Weather Service says there is the possibility of cooler temps and low snow levels later this week. More concerning, however, is another force of nature: the Santa Anas.
"The bigger threat is the wind," explained meteorologist Todd Hall, who said the event could be the strongest the region has seen in several years. Starting Wednesday night and peaking Thursday and Friday, damaging gusts up to 60 to 80 mph in the valleys and mountains are possible. Low humidity with high fire danger will extend a fire watch season that was scheduled to pare down this week. In general, wind gusts will be between 35 and 45 mph, he said.
Cooling in the region will begin Wednesday with temperatures dropping into the 60s for the rest of the week. The snow level could drop between 4,000 and 5,000 feet.
Meanwhile, frosty conditions are expected to the north in the San Joaquin Valley where the weather service predicting early morning temperatures to dip down as low as the upper-20s and mid-30s over the weekend.