The Santa Ana Winds Are Back, And So Are The Power Shutoff Programs.

Plus a workout.

You can almost feel it in the air… a nervousness about what this week will bring. Almost as if people are holding their collective breath for an uncertainty that’s just around the corner. And with good reason: the Santa Ana winds are back.

Southern California is preparing for a wind event starting today that could bring winds up to 80MPH in some areas and relative humidities hovering around 10%. This Santa Ana wind event and Red Flag Warnings are forecast from Sacramento to San Diego, and according to the National Weather Service, the already critically dry fuels will only become more receptive.

The strongest potential for these winds will manifest themselves on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, prompting power provider PG&E to initiate its Public Safety Power Shutoff Program. Up to 17 counties in California could see their power shut off mid-week.

Current Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches:

PG&E has put out a press release saying the following counties could see their power interrupted starting tomorrow and running through Thursday.

Counties under Watch: Due to high winds and dry conditions, a shutoff is likely:

• Alameda

• Butte

• Colusa

• Contra Costa

• Glenn

• Kern

• Lake

• Mendocino

• Napa

• Plumas

• Santa Clara

• Santa Cruz

• Solano

• Sonoma

• Stanislaus

• Tehama

• Yolo

While the list is extensive, the California Utility says it expects only around 15,000 customers to be affected at any given time. This could change depending on the strength of the forecast wind event.

The strongest winds are predicted in Ventura and LA counties, with the NWS projecting winds in the mountains up to 80MPH and valley winds reaching 55MPH. If the winds are this strong, it could cause a lot of havoc in those areas.

Ventura and LA Counties:

• Where: Valleys/Mountains/Malibu Coast

• Direction: N-NE Wind Gusts

• 55-80 MPH Mountains

• 35-55 MPH Valleys

• Relative Humidity dropping to 10-25%

• Critically Dry Vegetation

These are prime conditions for extreme fire growth if new starts happen this week. California fire resources have been preparing for this wind event, and it’s an all-hands-on-deck moment.

So what can we do about this week?! Not much; it will play out no matter what we do. So, let’s take all that nervous energy that everyone feels and put it to good use by getting a workout in to set our week up for success.

Find yourself a good soundtrack or podcast, and let’s get it done.

Get loose and dynamic stretch until warmed up. This workout will focus on core and Kettlebell work. Nothing helps start the week off right like a good workout. If you need to adjust the number, feel free. The point is to grow your fitness level over the winter to be ready for anything next Spring.

Enjoy!

Round 1: Three times