When Forest Service meteorologist Tom Rolinski heard that a wildfire had broken out Monday evening in Ventura County, he knew it was going to be a problem. The Thomas fire started in a known wind corridor on the first day of dry Santa Ana winds that are expected to buffet Southern California for nearly a week. Fire meteorologists predicted an above-average number of Santa Ana wind days this fall and winter. Tuesday morning, a weather station in the Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County, near Capps’ home, recorded gusts of 80 mph. As for whether climate change will diminish or strengthen Santa Ana seasons by affecting the temperature gradients between interior and coastal regions, there is conflicting research.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 06, 2017 14:00 UTC