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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The recent wildfires in Los Angeles were intensified by strong Santa Ana winds, which are a unique weather pattern in Southern California.
These winds are caused by the topography of Southern California and the circulation of a strong high-pressure system over the Rocky Mountains. The clockwise circulation of air around the high-pressure system leads to northeasterly winds in Southern California.
This northeasterly flow directs winds down the region’s mountains, descending toward the Pacific Ocean. This descent both warms and dries the air.
Subsequently, the now warm and dry air can easily spread pre-existing wildfires.
This Santa Ana wind event was also further intensified by a low-pressure system to the south of California. The opposite flow and proximity between the systems pushed the sustained wind speeds close to 60-70 miles per hour.
This low-pressure system would go on to create the winter storm currently moving across the rest of the continental United States.
The dry brush fuels currently present in Southern California also contributed to the wildfires. California experienced heavy rain events over the past several years, which led to new vegetation growth. However, after the summer season, this dry vegetation now acts as fuel for the fires.
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