Strongest winds in California lead to new fires and power outages

The low-pressure system, located above Great Basin and the Rocky Mountains, created a huge pressure difference between the Mountain West and California, pushing cold and dry air into the state and creating powerful offshore winds. SF Gate.

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Strong gusts of wind pierced mountain peaks, broke through valleys and made their way to the coast on the morning of Monday, October 26th. This wind has already been named the strongest in California in 2020. Humidity levels dropped to single digits, which, combined with windy weather, created extremely critical conditions for wildfires, with many small outbreaks occurring in just one night.

Incredible wind speeds have been reported in the Bay Area, including 58 mph (93,9 km / h) winds at Auckland Airport, 72 mph (115,8 km / h) gust on Diablo Mountain near Blackhawk, and 89 miles per hour (143,2 km / h) on Mount St. Helen, 5,8 miles (9,3 km) south of Middletown.

The Tahoe Basin experienced some of the highest wind speeds, and the National Weather Service confirmed an official 94 mph (151,2 km / h) gauge at the peak at Alpine Meadows.

Speeds in excess of 100 mph (160,9 km/h) have been recorded on exposed ridge overhangs at several ski resort anemometers whose accuracy is not monitored by the weather service, including a measurement of 102 mph (164 km/h) at Mount Mammath, 119 mph (191,5 km/h) elsewhere in Alpine Meadows and 140 mph (225,3 km/h) at the summit of Chair 6 (elevation 9186 ft - 2,8 km) at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.

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According to weather forecaster Tony Fuentes, wind speeds of 140 mph (225,3 km / h) were recorded by a sensor mounted on a high mountain. Last year, the gauge showed a very dubious reading of over 200 mph (321,8 km / h).

“There were probably 140 mph winds here this morning,” Fuentes said. “The sensor is right on top of the ridge, so it can get more localized blows in the wind.” There is no way to verify this."

Scott Rowe, a forecaster at the weather service's Sacramento office, agreed and said it was difficult to say whether the 140 mph gust was real or the result of faulty equipment.

In Southern California, the weather service recorded a gust of 96 mph (154,4 km / h) in the San Gabriel Mountains south of Santa Clarita.

In the fall, California is often hit by sea winds, but this event was considered especially serious, since the gusts of wind are not limited to the hills and blowing into the valleys. There were reports of fallen trees and branches, and damage to power lines throughout the region. PG&E proactively cut power across the state to reduce the risk of sparks from falling equipment.

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The winds brought up extremely dry air and the humidity level dropped.

“The air is as dry as a desert can get, sometimes even drier,” Rowe said. “This air mass is coming from the Great Basin, bringing with it dry air.”

Numerous fires occurred in the Bay Area, including in the Castro Valley and Healdsburg, but they were all quickly contained.

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