Dry, windy and warm conditions will heighten the risk of wildfire in the inland valleys and mountain areas of San Diego County Wednesday, meteorologists said.
"Winds, along with low relative humidity values and above average temperatures, will enhance the potential for fire ignition and spread during the day," according to the National Weather Service.
A red flag warning — the weather service's most serious fire-related warning — is in effect in the inland valleys and mountain areas until 5 p.m. Thursday.
In issuing the warning, the weather service said sustained northeast to east winds of 20 mph to 30 mph and widespread gusts of up to 45 mph are expected Wednesday. Isolated gusts of up to 60 mph are also possible on the county's windiest slopes.
The lowest daytime humidity will be around 5 percent to 10 percent, with poor overnight recovery in wind-prone areas, the weather service said.
High temperatures Wednesday are expected to be:
- 81 to 86 degrees near the coast
- 86 to 91 inland
- 87 to 92 in the western valleys
- 81 to 86 near the foothills
- 68 to 77 in the mountains
- 82 to 87 in the deserts
In addition to the red flag warning, the weather service scheduled a wind advisory until noon Thursday in inland valley and mountain areas, saying the winds will be strongest Wednesday morning.
"Strong gusty winds will make driving hazardous, especially for high-profile vehicles," the weather service said. "Watch for broken tree limbs and localized blowing dust."
Conditions will improve by Thursday night as offshore flow weakens, according to the weather service.
