By Reginald Stanley. Posted November 6, 2024, 1:03 PM.

The National Weather Service has issued numerous Red Flag Warnings and High Wind Warnings to large portions of Southern California this week, in effect through 6 PM Thursday for most inland valleys and 11 AM Friday for coastal mountain slopes.

An inside slider-type system which brought sporadic light rain last weekend, is also responsible for the Santa Ana Winds impacting the region this week. Dry fuels, low humidities and high winds are fueling critical fire conditions for much of Southern California, fanning a number of small wildfires and a more significant wildfire in Ventura County, dubbed the Mountain Fire. Across the inland valleys, northeast winds between 25-35 MPH have been occurring since Wednesday morning, while gusts of up to 60 MPH may occur in more wind-prone locations, particularly in mountains and foothills. Below normal temperatures are forecast for Thursday morning, with patchy frost possible in the upper deserts.