A strong ridge of high pressure will push basin temperatures to 90 later this weekend into early this next week with a return of fire weather concerns and the Santa Ana Winds.  Read on for details …

A strong ridge of high pressure, abnormal for this time of year, will bring warmer temperatures to the region through the weekend. With this ridge in place, strong offshore flow will accompany it starting Saturday night and strengthening through Sunday.

Offshore winds will be aided by weak to moderate upper support, strong surface pressure support, and weak to moderate thermal support. This translates into 30 to 60 mph wind gusts in the prone pass and canyon zones…Prone means if you usually get them then expect them … Easterly components in this on Sunday will open up the San Diego Foothill/Valley zones along I-15 as well for these gusts … Final alerts will go out a day before, which will replace this one …

Fire Weather Watch is also included in this alert as dry/warm air accompanying the wind gusts will make the fire risk elevated …

Temperatures are going to skyrocket, with temperatures trying to hit 90 in the basin areas.  Offshore flow often brings something called compressional warming.  Compressional warming is air that heats as it sinks and thus with the ridge overhead we will definitely see some abnormal heating, especially Sunday and Monday.  Monday should be the warmest day with the stronger ridge.

Longer range in my numbers continues to be bland at the moment.  As far as February 9th I only have a 15% chance of 1″ or higher in Los Angeles right now and this will be revised as we move through February.  My prediction still stands that this very large ridge this weekend and early this next week is a sign that strong troughs are in the making and once these break-down… the storm pattern will return sometime in February …

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