Santa Ana Winds and Heat Advisory for Orange County Oct. 15–17: Gusts to 70 mph Near Foothills, Highs to 95
The Santa Ana wind event is winding down: NWS San Diego says winds peaked Thursday and Friday, and the inland Orange County Wind Advisory (gusts 25–35 mph) and the Santa Ana Mountains High Wind Warning (gusts to 40 mph) end at noon Saturday, Oct. 17. The Heat Advisory (highs to 95) ends at 8 p.m. Saturday. The wind-driven Norte Fire started Oct. 16 in San Clemente during the event.
NWS San Diego issued and manages all active products; Orange County residents, particularly those in inland and foothill communities, are the primary affected population.
Santa Ana wind event with a concurrent Heat Advisory; Wind Advisory (gusts to 55 mph, locally 70 mph) and High Wind Warning (gusts to 40 mph) expiring noon Saturday, Heat Advisory (up to 95°F) expiring 8 p.m. Saturday.
Countywide Orange County: Wind Advisory covers inland OC; High Wind Warning covers the Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills; Heat Advisory covers coastal and inland OC.
Wind Advisory and High Wind Warning expire noon PDT Saturday, Oct. 17; Heat Advisory expires 8 p.m. PDT Saturday, Oct. 17.
A high-pressure ridge driving offshore, northeasterly flow produced a classic Santa Ana pattern with strong, dry, hot winds descending from the inland desert toward the coast.
As of 1:18 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, the Santa Ana wind event is in its closing hours. NWS San Diego confirmed Friday afternoon that winds had peaked and are weakening into Saturday. The Wind Advisory for inland Orange County and the High Wind Warning for the Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills remain in effect until noon Saturday, Oct. 17; the Heat Advisory for coastal and inland Orange County runs until 8 p.m. Saturday. No new watches, warnings, or escalations have been issued for Orange County since Friday evening.
NWS San Diego issued the Wind Advisory and High Wind Warning effective 6 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. The advisory covers inland Orange County (northeast winds 20–30 mph, gusts 35–55 mph, locally up to 70 mph near the Santa Ana Mountains foothills); the High Wind Warning covers the Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills (northeast winds 25–35 mph, gusts up to 40 mph). A gust of 69 mph was recorded at Fremont Canyon at 10:51 a.m. Thursday, consistent with the forecast peak. NWS San Diego's Friday evening products (8:41 p.m.) kept the advisory and warning in place through noon Saturday; the 11:01 p.m. discussion confirmed winds have peaked and will continue weakening.
The Heat Advisory covers both coastal and inland Orange County through 8 p.m. Saturday, with afternoon highs forecast up to 95°F. Low relative humidity compounds heat stress on utilities, vegetation, and residents without cooling access.
NWS characterizes fire weather as near-critical through Saturday. Orange County has not been included in any Red Flag Warning during this event — those warnings covered portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. However, the wind event directly contributed to the Norte Fire, which ignited at 11:33 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16 in San Clemente and burned approximately 465 acres, spreading into San Juan Capistrano and forcing evacuations in five zones. See the Norte Fire situation for current evacuation and shelter details.
Conditions are expected to ease after noon Saturday as the high-pressure ridge shifts and onshore flow returns. No further escalation of NWS products for Orange County is anticipated based on available evidence. Monitor for any post-event fire-weather or utility-impact reports through Saturday evening.
- Oct 14, 11:16(5 days ago)
NWS San Diego issues a Heat Advisory and Wind Advisory for Orange County and a High Wind Warning for the Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills, effective Thursday through Saturday.
- Oct 15, 06:00(4 days ago)
Wind Advisory and High Wind Warning take effect; the Heat Advisory follows at 10 a.m.
- Oct 16, 11:33(3 days ago)
The wind-driven Norte Fire starts in San Clemente and spreads into San Juan Capistrano, forcing evacuations in five zones.
- Oct 16, 13:11(2 days ago)
NWS San Diego says the winds have peaked and will weaken into Saturday; advisories stay in effect until noon (wind) and 8 p.m. (heat) Saturday.
- WTH4 days ago
Wind Advisory issued October 15 at 5:33AM PDT until October 17 at 12:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
- WTH4 days ago
Heat Advisory issued October 15 at 5:33AM PDT until October 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
- WTH4 days ago
Heat Advisory issued October 15 at 5:33AM PDT until October 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
- WTH5 days ago
Wind Advisory issued October 14 at 11:16AM PDT until October 17 at 12:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
- WTH5 days ago
Heat Advisory issued October 14 at 1:53AM PDT until October 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA