San Diego County's mountains could see gusts up to 65 mph starting 6 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a high wind warning for the season's first Santa Ana wind event.

The NWS warning covers San Diego County mountains from 6 a.m. Thursday through midnight Saturday night, Oct. 17. A separate valley warning kicks in later, running from 8 p.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Saturday. In the eastern valleys, the NWS expects northeast to east winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 55 mph. Western valley areas could see more localized gusts of 35 to 45 mph.

Friday, Oct. 16, is expected to bring the strongest winds.

What residents should expect

The NWS warning states damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult for high-profile vehicles such as trucks and trailers.

Chandler Price, a meteorologist with the NWS in San Diego, told the Desert Sun that offshore winds began hitting mountain foothills Wednesday, Oct. 14, with the strongest and most widespread Santa Ana winds expected Friday.

"This is a fairly strong event," Price said in the Desert Sun interview.

Price said the event will create near-critical fire weather conditions, though recent rain has left fuels less primed to ignite.

Heat advisory for the coast

A heat advisory also takes effect at 10 a.m. Thursday and runs through 8 p.m. Saturday for San Diego County coastal areas, including Del Mar and Solana Beach. The NWS expects high temperatures in the upper 80s to mid 90s.

The NWS urges residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors. Strenuous outdoor activities should be limited to early morning or evening hours.

Fire risk and canyon exposure

The wind event carries particular significance for Del Mar and Solana Beach. Deep coastal canyons and the San Dieguito River Valley funnel embers from inland fire zones toward coastal neighborhoods, according to a Del Mar Community Connections wildfire preparedness document. Santa Ana winds turn those canyons into wind tunnels that can carry embers up to a mile.

CAL FIRE's updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, adopted by Del Mar's City Council on June 16, 2025, and Solana Beach on June 18, 2025, expanded the High and Very High hazard areas in both cities.

No planned power shutoffs

San Diego Gas & Electric's PSPS dashboard showed no Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events forecast as of Wednesday, Oct. 14. Residents experiencing outages can check status on SDG&E's outage map.

How to prepare

The County of San Diego urges residents to secure outdoor items such as patio furniture, trash bins and decorations. The county also recommends charging phones, flashlights and medical devices ahead of time and keeping emergency go-kits accessible.

Residents should avoid activities that could spark fires, including use of yard equipment and improper disposal of cigarettes, the county said. Those who want emergency notifications can sign up at AlertSanDiego.org.

Gusty conditions could continue in inland areas into Saturday night, Oct. 17, according to the county.