Newport Beach is forecast to hit 90°F on Friday as the first major Santa Ana wind event of the fall sweeps Southern California. The rapid warm-up brings elevated fire danger, a heat advisory and possible power shutoffs.
The National Weather Service issued a high wind watch for the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills, valid from 6 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, through 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, according to the Orange County Register. Northeast winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are possible. Mountain gusts elsewhere in Southern California could reach 70 mph.
Damaging winds could topple trees and power lines, the weather service warned.
A separate heat advisory covers the Orange County coast from 10 a.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, with highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s expected, the Orange County Register reported. Newport Beach's forecast calls for 75°F on Wednesday, 86°F on Thursday, 90°F on Friday and 83°F on Saturday. Even typically cooler coastal areas may see overnight lows above 70°F.
Humidity could drop as low as 5% in some areas, quickly drying out vegetation despite recent rains, the weather service said.
Power shutoffs possible
Southern California Edison was considering Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) for more than 37,700 customers in Los Angeles County as of Tuesday, Oct. 13, Patch reported. SCE uses the shutoffs during extreme fire weather to reduce the risk of its equipment sparking a wildfire.
As of Wednesday, Oct. 14, SCE's PSPS status page showed zero customers experiencing shutoffs and zero under consideration. The utility noted that conditions change regularly and map updates may be delayed. Customers can sign up for PSPS alerts on SCE's website.
No SCE shutoff notices specific to Newport Beach had been announced as of Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Red flag warnings, weekend outlook
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for large portions of Los Angeles County, including the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains, from 6 a.m. Oct. 16 through 10 p.m. Oct. 17. Whether a separate red flag warning covers Orange County had not been confirmed by the NWS San Diego office as of Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The Malibu city government said SCE notified the city it may shut off power on four Malibu circuits starting as early as midnight Thursday, Oct. 15, because of the forecast conditions. Power restoration could take eight or more hours after winds subside, the city said.
Forecasters expect the Santa Ana winds to weaken over the weekend as a low-pressure system approaches, potentially bringing cooler temperatures and rain by around Wednesday, Oct. 21.
How to prepare
The Newport Beach Fire Department's Ready, Set, Go! program advises residents to develop a family evacuation plan, identify multiple evacuation routes and keep a battery-powered radio in case of power outages.
Residents can sign up for emergency alerts through the Newport Beach Police Department's Newport Notified system, which covers power outages, evacuations and other hazards. The countywide AlertOC system also sends time-sensitive messages by phone, text and email.
Orange County cooling centers are available during the heat advisory on the county government website.
