More Santa Ana winds arrive Thursday. These winds enhance early in morning with gusts near 50mph. This will bring toxic air, smoke, ash and air quality issues from the Hughes fire into the coverage zone. Main impacts with air quality will be down in Ventura as winds directly bring smoke into the city. Keep an eye on those with respiratory issues and avoid strenuous activity outside. We will likely see haze and smoke in Santa Barbara County as the Hughes Fire rages on, keep windows closed. Fire weather concerns arise today as winds strengthen and dangerously low humidity values hold strong. Red Flag Warnings are still in place in Ventura County. While Santa Barbara and Ventura County are not underneath a Red Flag Warning, we are close to those thresholds, so use caution when heading out the door. Temperatures soar into the 70s and 80s and skies stay clear for areas north of Gaviota. Overnight lows cool into the 20s and 30s for most wind sheltered areas and coastline cools into the 40s.
Winds finally end by Friday. Red Flag Warnings will continue through Friday 10 am due to dry conditions. Temperatures drop significantly as onshore flown returns and a potent low pressure system arrives. Skies turn cloudy by the evening and winds pick up from the northwest, rising humidity. Highs warm into the 60s and 70s and cool down into the 30s and 40s…