Parts of Northern California were under a red flag warning as of Thursday, Oct. 17, putting the region at higher risk for wildfires.
Gusty winds up to 55 mph were expected to sweep the region.
“This combined with low relative humidity and dry fuels will lead to critical fire weather conditions,” the National Weather Service said in an X post on Thursday.
“If there is a fire start, then it can rapidly grow in size and intensity,” said Eric Kurth, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Kurth said that temperatures in the region are “pretty typical” for this time of year, with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s and lows in upper 40s to lower 50s.
However, Northern California experienced a scorching summer that dried out fuels and left them “very susceptible to burn,” he said.
“In mid-to-late fall, when we haven’t had a big wet rain event, things are very susceptible to this type of wind event,” Kurth said. “This is a very vulnerable time.”
How long will red flag warning be in effect?
The red flag warning will remain in effect from 11 a.m. Thursday to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, according to the National Weather Service.
It affects the entire Sacramento Valley as well as the northern San Joaquin Valley and the Delta, Kurth said.
While a fire weather watch indicates that critical fire weather conditions are on the way, a red flag warning means that such conditions are occurring or will happen soon.
Northern California will see relative humidity of 10% to 25% during the daytime, with 25% to 50% relative humidity at night.
Due to the risk of “earlier fire starts,” the weather service urged Northern California residents to avoid activities that can ignite blazes.
That means keeping vehicles off dry grass, not using outdoor equipment that creates sparks and properly disposing of cigarettes and matches.
A campfire, a cigarette butt or even a spark from a lawnmower could lead to flames, Kurth said.
Where will winds be the strongest? How high will gusts get?
In the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills, winds will reach 15 to 25 mph, with gusts of 35 to 45 mph, the weather service said in its warning.
Sacramento-area residents could see patio furniture, umbrellas and trash cans blowing around, Kurth said.
“Halloween decorations … seem to be pretty vulnerable” to high winds, he said, so locals might want to pack those away, too.
Areas in the Delta are expected to see winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts of 40 to 55 mph.
Kurth said communities west of Sacramento — such as Davis, Dixon, Fairfield and Vacaville — will be hit with the strongest gusts
“We could see local power outages, tree limbs coming down,” he said, noting that high-profile vehicles such as trucks and recreational vehicles could face difficult driving conditions.
Wind advisory issued for parts of Sacramento, San Joaquin valleys
The weather service issued a wind advisory for the southern Sacramento Valley, northern San Joaquin Valley and Delta that includes the cities of Fairfield, Modesto, Sacramento, Stockton and Suisun.
That will remain in effect from 11 p.m. Thursday to 11 p.m. Friday.
“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects,” the weather service said. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”
In addition, high-profile vehicles such as trucks and recreational vehicles could face “some difficult driving conditions,” Kurth said.
In addition, Pacific Gas & Electric officials said roughly 20,000 customers could be affected by public safety power shutoffs in rural parts of the Sacramento Valley and the Bay Area.
When will winds peak?
According to the National Weather Service, Northern California will see the strongest winds on Friday, Oct. 18.
In the Sacramento area, winds will pick up through Friday morning and peak around midday, gradually dropping off Friday night, Kurth said.
Winds will be “much lighter” but Sunday and Monday, he added.
How to stay safe during high winds
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services shared tips for how to stay safe during a high wind event:
* Take cover next to a building or under a shelter.
* Stay clear of roadways and train tracks, a gust may blow you into danger.
* Use handrails when available on outdoor walkways.
* Avoid elevated areas such as roofs.
* Watch for flying debris, as street signs and tree limbs may become loose during strong winds.
If you’re driving during a high wind event, you should:
* Keep both hands on the wheel and slow down to a safe driving speed.
* Stay a safe distance away from other vehicles.
* Turn on your headlights if needed in case of blowing dust, sand, snow or rain.
* Be cautious of strong winds suddenly moving your car.
* Stay clear of high-profile vehicles or when towing a trailer.
* Watch for debris that may suddenly blow onto the roadway.
* Pull over and park away from any trees, power lines or other tall obstacles if winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving.
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