Santa Ana Winds

weather · California · desert winds · fire danger

Super strong and dry. Santa Ana winds are katabatic winds, meaning they flow downward from high desert areas toward the coast. They can reach speeds of 40 to 60 miles per hour or even faster, and they're so dry they can suck moisture right out of plants and soil.

Wildfire risk. Because Santa Ana winds are so hot and dry, they can turn the landscape into a tinderbox. Even a tiny spark can explode into a massive wildfire when these winds are blowing, which is why Southern California faces serious fire danger during Santa Ana season.

Come from the desert. These winds start far inland in the Great Basin, a huge high-pressure air mass in the desert. As the air moves toward the coast, it gets forced downward and heats up, arriving in Southern California as a hot, dusty blast.

Called devil winds. Some people call Santa Ana winds the devil winds because of how destructive they can be. They've earned that spooky nickname for the chaos they cause with flying dust, knocked-over trees, and fires that spread incredibly fast.

Coastal California's fury. These winds mainly hit Southern California and northern Baja California along the coast. They're strongest in fall and early winter, bringing dramatic weather changes that people in the region know to prepare for.