Fire Weather Warnings, Watches, Advisories for California

Fire Weather Outlooks for the next eight days are posted by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman Oklahoma.

Outlook for Today - Click to enlarge

Outlook for Tomorrow - Click to enlarge

NOAA Satellite and Information Service (NESDIS) images show smoke plumes and fire areas.

NOAA's National Weather Service Incident Meteorologists are on the ground at major fires providing localized forecasts to support firefighting efforts. This on-site weather support helps ensure fire crew safety and provides tactical information to the fire management team.

In addition to incident meteorologists, local Weather Forecast Offices provide critical weather information, spot forecasts, briefings and other forecast information to fire crews and emergency managers.

Current fire status reports from the National Interagency Fire Center

What are Santa Ana winds?

During the fall and early winter, high pressure over the high desert of the Great Basin region causes winds on the southern side of the high to blow from the east, toward the Pacific Ocean and lower air pressure offshore. The winds push dry air from the inland deserts of California and the Southwest over the mountains between coastal California and the deserts.

As the air descends from mountains, it is compressed and the temperatures increase. These hot, and very dry winds(relative humidty of 10 to 20% or lower are common) dry out vegetation, increasing the fuel available to feed fires. The gusty winds and eddies of winds swirling through canyons and valleys also fan flames and spread tinders.

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