Fair weather is expected across San Diego County Tuesday, but Santa Ana winds will combine with hot weather and dry conditions in the coming days to increase the risk for wildfires.
A National Weather Service red flag warning for the inland valleys and the mountains will remain in effect from 2 a.m. Wednesday until 8 p.m. Thursday.
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Northeast winds of 15 to 30 miles per hour are expected throughout the warning period, along with gusts of 40 to 50 mph. Forecasters said the strongest winds would blow through and below mountain passes and into portions of the inland valleys.
"The winds will first reach the Cajon Pass, the Inland Empire, the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills and inland Orange County late tonight into Wednesday morning," according to the weather service. "Critical fire weather conditions will spread into San Diego County Wednesday into Thursday. The Santa Ana winds will weaken by Friday, but hot and dry conditions will continue."
In San Diego, daytime high temperatures are expected to rise from 73 degrees Tuesday to 87 degrees Wednesday, and will skyrocket to 90 degrees by the end of the work week.
Any fires that do develop will likely spread rapidly and outdoor burning is not advised, forecasters said.
