Happy Halloween! Our howling wind lingers into tonight with a scary quick drop in temperatures for trick-or-treaters tonight!
Santa Ana winds will continue for the mountains, foothills and inland valleys through Thursday but they will be tapering off each day. Peak gusts have reached between 50 and 65mph in Sill Hill, Big Black Mountain, Crestwood, and Alpine.
An Air Quality Alert is in effect for the inland areas until 10:15am Thursday due to the increased fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke in the region from the Highland Fire burning just across the county borderline in Riverside County. If you smell smoke or see ash due to a wildfire, remain indoors with windows and doors closed or seek alternative shelter, if feasible. Avoid vigorous physical activity and run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier earlier this morning, however, if you smell smoke you should limit your time outdoors as air quality is poor.
Winds will gradually weaken tomorrow but will remain offshore through Thursday. The sea-breeze finally returns on Friday which will usher in higher humidity each day heading into the weekend and even a return of the overnight and morning coastal clouds.
Daytime highs will continue to trend 5 to 10 degrees above average west of the mountains before gradual cooling begins Friday as high pressure weakens due to a storm well to our north. While the coastal and inland communities will cool down, the mountains and deserts will warm up.
This weekend is Daylight Saving Time and we all gain an hour of sleep on Sunday; remember to fall back by moving your clocks back an hour before going to bed Saturday night.
Wednesday's Highs:
Coast: 74-80°
Inland: 83-89°
Mountains: 60-77°
Deserts: 80-85°
Follow ABC 10News Meteorologist Megan Parry on Facebook at Megan Parry 10News, Instagram @mis_meg_wx and Twitter @10NewsParry.
