Every year between fall and spring, Southern Californians face powerful gusts of dry wind that can cause everything from runny noses to severe traffic disruptions or even fallen trees. Known as the Santa Ana winds, these natural phenomena become particularly destructive when combined with other weather conditions, such as drought, which increases the risk of wildfires like the ones currently raging in Los Angeles.
This year, the Santa Ana winds have been particularly strong, with gusts approaching hurricane speeds. These intense winds, paired with an unusually dry winter, have created a perfect storm for the rapid spread of wildfires. As of this week, the Palisades and Eaton fires have scorched around 29,000 acres, with three additional fires sparking on Wednesday.
“The low moisture in the vegetation during extreme dry periods creates a volatile environment,” said Mark Gold, director of water scarcity solutions at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “When a big Santa Ana hits, that’s when the nightmare for our firefighters begins.”
The winds originate in the Great Basin region, which spans Nevada and parts of Utah. This area is at a higher elevation than Southern California, and during the cooler months (typically September to May), cold air in the basin is forced downhill and westward toward Southern California’s low-pressure areas. As the air moves, it speeds up and becomes hotter and drier, reaching Southern California with wind speeds that can hit 40 mph, and in some cases, even stronger gusts.
Robert Fovell, a professor at the University of Albany, noted that Ventura County in Los Angeles and Santa Ana in Orange County are usually the hardest hit by these winds. However, this year, the winds have been able to travel over the San Gabriel Mountains, affecting areas like Pasadena and Altadena, where the Eaton Fire is currently burning.
“The winds formed what’s known as a downslope windstorm, which targeted the foothills around Eaton Canyon,” Fovell said.
While climate models don’t predict that the Santa Ana winds will worsen in the coming decades, they do suggest that the overlap between these winds and fire season will increase, leading to even more devastating blazes in the future.
“In California, fire season used to be a late-summer event,” said Tripti Bhattacharya, an associate professor of earth and environmental sciences at Syracuse University. “Now, it extends well into January. As a result, the overlap between fire season and Santa Ana winds will likely intensify.”
The destructive power of the Santa Ana winds, coupled with extreme dry conditions, poses a growing challenge for Southern California, as the region faces longer and more dangerous fire seasons.
Read more:
Postmenopausal Bleeding: Common Causes And What You Should Do
Best Protein Powder For Pregnant Mothers: A Complete Guide
New Mexico Supreme Court Upholds Statewide Abortion Rights In Major Ruling
