Santa Ana winds occur when air flows west from a region of high pressure over the dry Great Basin to lower pressure off the California coast, According to Accuweather. As that cool interior air flows over and through mountain passes, it accelerates, sinks and compresses.

Santa Ana winds are expected to ramp up early next week, creating the critical fire weather that helped fuel the wildfires across the region. Meanwhile, a major winter storm that has brought record snow,

Santa Ana winds in Southern California are often-fierce winds that topple power lines and trees and can turn a spark into a raging wildfire.