By Janice Dean “The Weather Machine”

Hey Guys!

Well, as you’ve no doubt heard, we have a terrifying situation in Southern California.  Winds across Montecito Hills last night were gusting past 70 mph, and a huge wildfire has erupted overnight destroying at least 100 homes in the region.    You may have heard Adam Housley mention them as “Sundowner winds,” which is a localized term for offshore winds like the Santa Anas.   They are typically strongest at sundown (hence the name) or sunset.   The location of High Pressure and the topography of the region around Santa Barbara (mountains stretch from east to west) help to localize these fierce winds.  The Sundowner Winds also are a precursor to Santa Ana winds, and that is certainly the case as we head into the weekend.  Ventura and LA Counties are going to be the bulls eye for a strong and potentially very damaging wind event today and tomorrow with gusts of 70 mph plus, along with low relative humidity and soaring temperatures.  This will be a very dangerous time for Southern California.

(Photo Courtesy of Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)