Monday wind forecast: PDS red flag warning ahead

As wildfires continue to burn in Los Angeles County, residents are bracing for another round of Santa Ana winds and drought conditions, keeping fire danger critical as crews work to contain the blazes. 

Winds will begin slowly speeding up Monday into Tuesday, which conditions will be the most dangerous this week. 

Here’s the latest on the wind forecast: 

Rare ‘PDS’ red flag warning

The National Weather Service has issued a rare PDS red flag warning has been issued for Tuesday in the Los Angeles area. 

A "particularly dangerous situation" warning is rare and reserved for the most extreme events, though this is the fourth time it’s been issued this fire season. 

It was last issued last week ahead of the fires that broke out on Jan. 7, and again in December before the Franklin Fire in Malibu and in November ahead of the Mountain Fire in Camarillo. 

Before this fire season, the last time it was issued was in 2020. 

The PDS warning will be in effect Tuesday 4 a.m. - Wednesday 12 p.m. in three areas, according to the National Weather Service. 

Strong, locally damaging, NE/E winds will affect West LA Co. & much of Ventura Co thru Wednesday. Critical fire weather is expected. (National Weather Service)

Although peak winds for this next event will be weaker than those last week, winds will be strong enough to potentially cause explosive fire growth, the National Weather Service said

The red flag warning continues through Wednesday evening, particularly including the San Bernardino County Mountains, Santa Ana Mountains, Orange County inland, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys.

Wind alerts

A high wind warning is in effect, forecasting NE gusts 60-70 mph, between Tuesday 4 a.m. - Wednesday 12 p.m.

Strong northeast gusts between 45-55 mph are expected until Wednesday afternoon. 

The forecast for potential wind gusts in the coming days has increased. 

Strong northeast gusts between 45-55 mph are expected until Wednesday afternoon. 

And a high wind warning is in effect, forecasting NE gusts 60-70 mph, between Tuesday 4 a.m. - Wednesday 12 p.m., when the PDS warning is in effect. 

On Monday, winds will ramp up over the day, with strong winds scattered across the area in the afternoon. 

The peak of the multi-day wind event will be all day Tuesday. 

RELATED: Interactive maps: Check to see if your home is destroyed or damaged in California fires

Low humidity

Humidity levels forecasted across the area as of 1 p.m. Monday. 

Humidity levels forecasted across the area as of 8 p.m. Monday. 

Humidity levels increased a bit over the weekend but are now back to desert-like conditions at around 8-15% relative humidity in areas on highest wind alert.

The Source: Information in this article was taken from various FOX 11 weather reports on Sunday, Jan. 12 and Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, and the National Weather Service. Fire background information was taken from Cal Fire and previous FOX 11 reportings. 

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