Red flag warnings issued as high winds to increase fire hazards around Southern California

Intense winds and an abrupt drop in humidity in parts of Southern California prompted the National Weather Service to issue red flag warnings for Sunday and Monday.

Gusty north to northeast winds and relative humidity near 15% will lead to periods of critical fire weather conditions in parts of the San Bernardino Mountains and below the Cajon Pass into the Inland Empire, the NWS announced.

Winds are likely to be highest in and around mountains and in desert locations, the weather service said. Peak gusts are expected to be 35 to 45 mph.

In Los Angeles County, north to northeast 15 to 30 mph are forecast, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph. The strongest winds are expected across higher terrain and the Malibu coast. Humidity could drop as low as 10% in some spots, according to the NWS.

The wind surge is trailing the remnants of a trough of low pressure north of the region. Meteorologists had earlier predicted that the low would sink well to the south, generating appreciable rain on Saturday, but the weather pattern has since changed.

A Red Flag Warning is issued when factors like high winds and low humidity could lead to a wildfire within 24 hours. A Fire Weather Watch is issued when those weather conditions could exist in the next 12-72 hours.

City News Service contributed to this report.