KTLA

Santa Ana winds return to Southland, prompt high wind warnings and fire weather watches

Damaging Santa Ana winds are returning to Southern California Monday through Wednesday, bringing another round of dangerous fire conditions and possible power outages.

The peak winds are expected to arrive late Monday night and continue through Tuesday evening, according to the National Weather Service, prompting the closure of a massive COVID-19 vaccination site.


The strongest northeasterly gusts will range between 70 and 80 mph across the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Some isolated gusts could even reach 90 mph, according to the Weather Service. Some valley areas could see gusts between 60 and 75 mph.

A high wind warning has been issued for parts of Los Angeles County from 10 p.m. Tuesday until 4 a.m. Wednesday.

A high wind watch will be in place from Monday night through Tuesday night for San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties.

The COVID-19 vaccination “super site” at the Disneyland Resort — which opened less than a week ago — will be closed Tuesday due to the forecasted gusty winds, the Orange County Health Care Agency announced Monday evening.

Forecasters are concerned the strong winds will topple trees and power lines, and create dangerous conditions for drivers.

There is also concern that low humidity levels will cause widespread critical fire weather conditions.

A fire weather watch has been issued for much of southwestern California Monday night through Tuesday evening.

Residents are urged to secure outdoor objects and prepare for possible lengthy power outages.

Southern California Edison had shutoff power to more than 1,600 customers Monday morning with another 248,000 under consideration for outages. Updated information can be found on SCE.com.

The utility instituted public safety power shutoffs last year to prevent wildfires amid dry and windy conditions.

Starting 8 a.m. Tuesday, parking restrictions in L.A. will go into effect for posted areas in high-hazard brush fire zones, Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said on Twitter Monday.