Winds across Southern California have begun to die down as crews battling the Palisades and Eaton fires begin to make the first substantial progress toward containment.
NBC4 meteorologist Vera de Leon said wind speeds remained in the low 20s in the Malibu area, but were weakening elsewhere.
De Leon added that wind speeds are expected to continue decreasing throughout Friday into Saturday morning, before increasing again. These winds will become even stronger on Sunday, making the next 24 hours critical for firefighters.
The expected speed increase is the result of another incoming system hitting the West Coast, generating another wave of strong Santa Ana winds.
De León also noted that the increase in wind speed will continue until at least next Wednesday.
The ongoing wildfires have returned Southern California to moderate drought conditions, with lower regions of the state experiencing record rainfall deficits.
Since the rainy season began on October 1, 2024, the region has experienced little to no rainfall that would worsen the fire situation.
Riverside and Anaheim both had their driest starts to the year on record, but that is unlikely to change in future forecasts, de Leon said.
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