Red Flag Warning into Thursday
Both a High Wind Warning and a Red Flag Warning are in effect for most of San Diego County now until 6 p.m. Halloween night, Thursday, Oct. 31, according to the National Weather Service. The forecast calls for strong, gusty winds and low humidity for the mountains and inland valleys.
Power shutoffs
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has already initiated Public Safety Power Shutoffs in several communities and towns in eastern and northern San Diego County including Poway and portions of Ranch Bernardo. Windy weather conditions could affect the power lines that serve these areas, so the power company has cut energy to lines that could possibly fall or ignite brush fires. Communities with power shut off at this time will have power restored once the wind danger has passed and SDG&E can safely restore it, according to the power company.
Scripps Ranch was not on the list of communities facing possible power shutoffs as of 10 a.m. Wednesday morning, but residents can check for updates at sdge.com. Click the Public Safety Power Shutoff link at the top of the page to go to the Public Safety Power Shutoff page. This page provides a list of communities with power off, communities facing potential power shutoffs, a list of community resource centers, information centers and an updated map of communities without power.
Red Flag Warning
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Use extreme caution with potential fire ignition sources. If fire ignition occurs, conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior and rapid growth which would threaten life and property.
High Wind Warning
Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Expect areas of east to northeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph. Gusts to 75 mph are expected near mountain ridge tops. Winds are not expected to be as strong tonight at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Winds are forecast to be decreasing in coverage on Thursday with wind speeds diminishing to 15 to 25 mph during the afternoon with gusts 40 mph.
Outlook
The lowest daytime humidity will be around 5 percent with poor overnight recovery, according to the National Weather Service. Winds will strengthen Wednesday morning and become more widespread. Winds will not be quite as strong Wednesday night and will further diminish and become less widespread on Thursday.
Expect weaker offshore flow with only a very slow recovery in humidity following on Friday and Saturday. Weak onshore flow for Sunday into early next week will slowly spread cooling and higher coastal humidity inland.