Strong winds, low humidity could give way to rain by weekend

January 12, 2012

The National Weather Service has issued a fire warning for Friday because of strong winds and low humidity, but the conditions are expected to be short-lived as a chance of rain hits Southern California by Saturday night.

A light offshore breeze could turn into gusty northeast winds in the mountains Friday, making for prime wildfire conditions, the weather service reported.

Santa Ana winds are expected to reach up to 40 mph on Friday. Coupled with single-digit humidity, conditions could lead to brush fires.

"If fire ignition occurs, there could be the potential for large fire growth with rapid fire spread," the weather service said in a statement.

The warning could be upgraded to a red flag warning, which indicates an elevated risk of fire conditions, the agency said. Normal wind conditions are expected to return by Friday evening.

-- Angel Jennings, Los Angeles Times

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