Fire Weather Watch: Gusty Canyon Winds

High fire danger alert: DRY CONDITIONS CAN BE ANTICIPATED THROUGH MID-WEEK...WITH A DECREASE IN COASTAL STRATUS AND FOG. GUSTY NORTHWESTERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP MONDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY...WITH THE STRONGEST WINDS ACROSS SOUTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY AND THE INTERSTATE 5 CORRIDOR. For the Antelope Valley prolonged winds and dry conditions warrant a fire weather watch. Fire behavior today was moderate with average flame lengths at the Highway fire. The fire was held to 12 acres. Both Angeles National Forest and LA County Fire Department responded full brush assignments. Strong winds in the area are cause for concern as light flashy fuels have cured on the high desert floor. 00Z NAM STILL INDICATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A STRONGER NORTHWEST TO NORTH WIND EVENT TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT. DURING THIS PERIOD...THERE IS STRONG UPPER LEVEL WIND SUPPORT AND SUBSIDENCE...AS EVIDENT BY THE 40-55 KNOT 850 MB WINDS DEPICTED ACROSS THE WIND PRONE AREAS OF THE SOUTHERN SBA COUNTY...INTERSTATE 5 CORRIDOR...AND ANTELOPE VALLEY. AS A RESULT...PATTERN IS SHAPING UP FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF MODERATE TO STRONG WINDS ACROSS THESE LOCATIONS. GUSTS OF 50 TO 60 MPH WILL CERTAINLY BE POSSIBLE ACROSS WINDIER LOCATIONS...WITH LATER SHIFTS POSSIBLY NEEDING TO ISSUE HIGH WIND WATCHES. FOR NOW...HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THIS WIND POTENTIAL WITH A SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT. DUE TO THE STRENGTH AND DURATION OF THESE POTENTIALLY STRONG NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS AND LOWERING HUMIDITIES...THERE WILL BE A HEIGHTENED FIRE RISK ACROSS THE REGION...MAINLY FOR THE PASSES AND CANYONS OF SOUTHERN SBA COUNTY...INTERSTATE 5 CORRIDOR...AND ANTELOPE VALLEY.