Southern California is particularly impressive, with 50-70 mph gusts observed both east and west of LA. LA itself is somewhat protected by the higher section of the San Gabriel mountains.
The latest run of the high-resolution DRI/CANSAC forecasting system shows very strong winds continuing today over southern CA (see below), with sustained winds around the Thomas fire area (between LA and Santa Barbara) getting to 35-45 mph. Which means gusts above 50 mph.
Why the winds? The same persistent pattern with high pressure over the intermountain west, a trough over coastal California, and an offshore pressure difference that produces strong easterly and northeasterly flow.
One good thing is that Pacific Gas and Electric is FINALLY starting to think about more effective adaptation measures, above the obvious need to clear vegetation away from their powerlines. This week they have started to talk about pre-emptive power shutdowns to prevent electrical initial of wildfires.
And they reprogrammed their breaker system, so that it doesn't keep on trying to reenergize lines that have experienced shorts.
And now the good news for California. Two strong troughs are going to move southward into California: one on Wednesday and one on Sunday (see below).
These disturbances will bring some serious rain to the dry Golden State. Here is the ten-day total from the NOAA/NWS GFS model. The Northwest get quite wet (5-10 inches in our mountains of liquid water equivalent), but nearly all of CA gets some.
And it looks like the worst of the wind, will soon be over for southern CA. A major fire event is about to end over CA.
from Cliff Mass Weather and Climate Blog http://ift.tt/2kD7zgl
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