RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR ALL MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FOR EXTREME HEAT AND DRY CONDITIONS WITH LOCALLY GUSTY WINDS. .The extreme heat wave will peak through Saturday, with high temperatures between 105 and 115 over most mountain and foothills areas and minimal overnight recoveries. Locally gusty winds will form as well, strongest over southern Santa Barbara County with Sundowner gusts between 25 and 40 mph each night. Deep mixing heights up to 18,000 feet will also lead to a high risk for erratic plume-dominated fire behavior. While standard Red Flag Warning criteria is unlikely, there is a history of large fires during similar weather conditions. As a result, Red Flag Warnings will remain in place for all mountain and foothill areas through Saturday, with the areas of highest concerns being those with the stronger winds like southern Santa Barbara County. In addition, there is an increasing threat for dry lightning and gusty downburst winds this weekend, which will increase the fire danger risk. * WINDS. West to north winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Gusty and erratic winds possible with any new fires or thunderstorms. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY. Minimums 8 to 15 percent. Poor overnight recoveries of 15 to 30 percent. * TEMPERATURES. Maximums between 100 and 110 common for lower elevations, with minimums between 82 and 92. Isolated highs near 115 possible. * THUNDERSTORMS. There is an increasing risk for dry lightning over Los Angeles and Ventura Counties this weekend, which can start new fires, spread them rapidly with gusty downburst winds, and provide little if any extinguishing rain. * IMPACTS. If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior which would threaten life and property.
Coastal South Carolina,Coastal South Carolina-Georgia,Southeast Coast (Atlantic) from NC south; Puerto Rican Waters; Caribbean Sea; Southwest North Atlantic