The Meteorology of the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires.
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| Title: | The Meteorology of the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires. |
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| Authors: | Mass, Clifford1 (AUTHOR) cmass@uw.edu, Ovens, David (AUTHOR), Fovell, Robert G.2 (AUTHOR), Baars, Jeff (AUTHOR), Gilbert, Nathan (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Weather & Forecasting. Apr2026, Vol. 41 Issue 4, p1-21. 21p. |
| Subjects: | Wildfires, Windstorms, Wind forecasting, Synoptic meteorology, Meteorology, Mountain wave, Wildfire risk |
| Geographic Terms: | Pacific Coast (U.S.), Los Angeles (Calif.), San Gabriel Mountains (Calif.) |
| Abstract: | This paper describes the synoptic and mesoscale meteorology associated with the strong Santa Ana event of January 7-12, 2025, which resulted in a catastrophic wildfire with over $150 billion in economic loss and 31 deaths. Strong northerly and northeasterly low-level winds, reaching record levels at some locations, resulted from an unusually intense mid-tropospheric low to the south of the Los Angeles basin. With higher pressure/heights over the northeast Pacific, strong crest-level flow developed over the Southern California Transverse Ranges, with intense downslope flow on the southern, lee slopes. High-resolution model simulations produced a highly realistic wind evolution over the region. The strongest winds, some exceeding 80 kt, occurred on the southwestern slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains and were associated with high-amplitude mountain wave activity. The predictability of the event was high, with substantial skill within three days of the start of the strong, dry winds. The prior autumn and early winter months were the driest on record in the region, ensuring surface fuels would be dry and flammable. Furthermore, the two previous winter seasons were considerably wetter than normal, producing large fuel loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | This paper describes the synoptic and mesoscale meteorology associated with the strong Santa Ana event of January 7-12, 2025, which resulted in a catastrophic wildfire with over $150 billion in economic loss and 31 deaths. Strong northerly and northeasterly low-level winds, reaching record levels at some locations, resulted from an unusually intense mid-tropospheric low to the south of the Los Angeles basin. With higher pressure/heights over the northeast Pacific, strong crest-level flow developed over the Southern California Transverse Ranges, with intense downslope flow on the southern, lee slopes. High-resolution model simulations produced a highly realistic wind evolution over the region. The strongest winds, some exceeding 80 kt, occurred on the southwestern slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains and were associated with high-amplitude mountain wave activity. The predictability of the event was high, with substantial skill within three days of the start of the strong, dry winds. The prior autumn and early winter months were the driest on record in the region, ensuring surface fuels would be dry and flammable. Furthermore, the two previous winter seasons were considerably wetter than normal, producing large fuel loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 08828156 |
| DOI: | 10.1175/WAF-D-25-0164.1 |
