The Santa Ana winds, occasionally referred to as the devil winds, [1] [2] are strong, extremely dry katabatic winds that originate inland and affect coastal Southern California and northern Baja California. They originate from cool, dry high-pressure air masses in the Great Basin.

Jan 8, 2025 · The intense and fast-moving fires that have cut a path of destruction through the suburbs of Los Angeles, killing at least two people, are being driven by the region's powerful Santa Ana...

Jan 9, 2025 · Multiple wildfires are burning in Los Angeles, fueled by Santa Ana winds. NPR speaks with a National Weather Service meteorologist about why these winds can be so dangerous and destructive.

Jan 7, 2025 · What are Santa Ana winds? Santa Anas are dry, warm and gusty northeast winds that blow from the interior of Southern California toward the coast and offshore, moving in the opposite direction of the normal onshore flow that carries moist air from the Pacific into the region.

Jan 8, 2025 · Santa Ana winds can bring disruptive impacts to daily life in Los Angeles and parts of southern California, but when coupled with wildfires they can escalate the situation rapidly, causing...

Jan 10, 2025 · Powerful Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching hurricane strength, swept down the mountains outside Los Angeles and spread wildfires into several neighborhoods starting Jan. 7, 2025, creating a terrifying scene.

Jan 9, 2025 · Every year between fall and spring, Southern Californians experience gusts of dry wind that can cause runny noses or watery eyes — and sometimes powerful enough to halt traffic or topple trees....

Jan 7, 2025 · Powerful Santa Ana winds are sweeping across Southern California in a windstorm that triggered red flag warnings for Los Angeles County and created what firefighters called some of the most...

6 days ago · Santa Ana winds are hot, dry, gusty winds that blow into southern California from inland deserts, ... In late November and early December 2011, sustained Santa Ana winds left thousands of California residents without power. Wind speeds measured between 80 and 110 km (between 50 and 70 miles) per hour across southern California and surpassed 225 ...

Jan 9, 2025 · What causes the Santa Ana winds? The Santa Ana winds are dry, powerful winds that blow down the mountains toward the Southern California coast. The region sees about 10 Santa Ana wind events a year on average, typically occurring from fall into January. When conditions are dry, as they are right now, these winds can become a severe fire hazard.