Santa Ana winds are easterly or north-easterly winds blowing from the interior deserts of Nevada and Utah toward the southern California coast, channelled through canyons and mountain passes. They are a classic foehn effect: as the air descends, it compresses and warms, reaching the coast at 35–45 °C with relative humidity below 10%.
Wildfires
Santa Ana winds are the primary meteorological driver of southern California's devastating wildfires. Gusts can exceed 150 km/h through canyons, spreading fire rapidly. They occur mainly between October and April, peaking in November–December. The combination of extreme heat, low humidity, and strong winds creates maximum fire-risk conditions (red-flag warnings).