Batten Down For Breezes, Wind Gusts Expected Through Thanksgiving

The National Weather Service said Pasadenans should expect wind gusts today and with their turkey on Thanksgiving Day as Santa Ana winds are predicted to buffet the region.

Gusting winds and dry conditions are expected to return to the Southland Wednesday, prompting forecasters to issue warnings about critical wildfire conditions that will last into Friday.

The fire warning will take effect at 10 p.m. Wednesday and continue to 6 p.m. Friday in the Angeles National Forest and throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

“Northeast winds will increase starting just after sunrise on Wednesday then peak late Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning,” according to the National Weather Service.

“Winds will gradually weaken through Saturday but will remain gusty at times. Peak wind gusts between 35 and 55 mph are expected, with isolated gusts to between 60 and 70 mph.”

Pasadena will likely see gusts with 20 to 30 mph velocity, NWS forecasters said.

Forecasters said humidity levels will plummet Wednesday afternoon, falling as low as 2% to 8% by Thursday, creating dry conditions that can dramatically elevate the risk of dangerous wildfires.

“The combination (of) very gusty winds and very low relative humidity over a sufficient period of time will create red flag conditions for most of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, primarily Wednesday through Thanksgiving,” according to the NWS.

However, the Pasadena Fire Department reported Pasadena remains at Green Flag status as of 6 a.m. Wednesday.

“Although winds will be weaker on Friday, the very low humidities combined with occasionally gusty northeast winds will continue these critical conditions through Friday afternoon.”

Here’s a detailed look at the National Weather Service forecast for Pasadena:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 47. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thanksgiving Day: Sunny, with a high near 74. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 78.