Windy Forecast Brings Red Flag Warning

Strong offshore winds, warm temperatures and low humidity levels forecast for the region prompted the National Weather Service to issue a “red flag” wildfire warning Wednesday.

The dry, blustery spell is expected to produce favorable fire conditions in the valleys and mountains Thursday through early Saturday, according to the NWS.

Sustained easterly winds up to 30 mph and gusts reaching 55 mph also may make driving dangerous in some locales, especially for motorists in high-profile vehicles, according to the federal agency.

The conditions—caused by a high-pressure zone over the Great Basin—will include daytime relative humidities as low as 5 percent at times, meteorologists said.

The National Weather Service forecast for Poway:

Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming east in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 80. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph becoming east 20 to 25 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Breezy, with an east wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Friday night: Clear, with a low around 54. East wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.