Weather Live Updates: Extreme Windstorm Warning Issued for California, Fire Risks Intensify

A destructive windstorm is set to sweep through the Southern California area starting Tuesday afternoon, with forecasters warning of "life-threatening" conditions through Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a rare and urgent warning for widespread damaging winds, fire risks, and potential power outages across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

What to Know:

• Wind gusts between 50-80 mph are expected in most areas, with isolated mountain and foothill gusts reaching 80-100 mph.
• Areas most at risk include Pasadena, Burbank, San Fernando, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Malibu, and the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys.
• The NWS has identified a high risk for fire weather conditions, citing low humidity and extreme wind speeds that could cause fires to grow rapidly.
• Power outages are anticipated to affect thousands of residents across the region.
• Forecasters urge caution with potential ignition sources, as even small sparks could ignite catastrophic fires under these conditions.

Stay with Newsweek for live updates and advisories.

07:32 AM EST

Types of damaging winds

KAYENTA, ARIZONA - AUGUST 23: Monsoon clouds drift on August 23, 2024 near Kayenta, Arizona. A shift in wind direction from westerly to southerly typically triggers the American Southwest monsoon by mid-June and runs through... David McNew/Getty Images

Damaging winds are powerful forces of nature, often linked to thunderstorms, that can cause destruction over a wide area. These winds come in different forms, each with unique characteristics, as described by NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory:

• Straight-line winds are non-rotational winds generated by thunderstorms, distinct from tornadic winds.
• Downdrafts are small columns of air sinking rapidly toward the ground, often the precursor to more damaging wind events.
• Macrobursts are large, outward bursts of wind spanning over 4 kilometers. They begin with a strong downdraft and can cause damage similar to tornadoes, even during weak thunderstorms.
• Microbursts are smaller, intense bursts of wind covering less than 4 kilometers and lasting 5-10 minutes. Wet microbursts bring heavy rain, while dry ones are common in arid regions.
• Downbursts broadly describe localized strong winds caused by downdrafts, encompassing both macrobursts and microbursts.
• Gust fronts mark the boundary where rain-cooled air meets warm air ahead of a storm, often creating gusty winds and dramatic cloud formations.
• Derechos are widespread, long-lasting windstorms with bands of fast-moving thunderstorms, producing wind damage over 240 miles or more.
• Haboobs occur when a downdraft from a thunderstorm pushes a wall of dust across the ground at high speeds.

07:23 AM EST

Los Angeles braces for life-threatening windstorm

Los Angeles is under a rare and urgent windstorm warning from the National Weather Service (NWS), with "life-threatening, destructive, widespread" conditions expected from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Wind gusts of 50-80 mph are anticipated across most areas, with isolated gusts up to 100 mph in the mountains and foothills.

Pasadena, Burbank, San Fernando, Hollywood, Malibu, and the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys are expected to be hardest-hit areas. These high winds, combined with low humidity, have created a significant fire weather risk, with forecasters warning that any ignition could lead to fast-growing, uncontrollable fires.

Residents should prepare for potential power outages and secure outdoor items to prevent damage. The NWS has urged extreme caution with any potential fire sources, emphasizing the need for vigilance as the storm sweeps through the region.