Santa Ana Winds Are Not Föhn Winds

Santa Ana winds cause hottest days.

Santa Ana winds are dry, strong winds blowing from inland deserts.

Wind damage includes fallen light poles and cars.

Satellite image shows smoke from Southern California wildfires.

Air flows down mountain passes like Cajon Pass, speeding up.

Hygrometer shows low humidity and temperature during winds.

Relative humidity falls below 10 percent during Santa Ana winds.

Santa Ana winds occur about 10 to 25 times each year.

Strong gusts often exceed 40 miles per hour and cause damage.

Santa Ana winds differ from Föhn winds by lacking rain heating.

Sea breezes weaken or fail during Santa Ana wind events.

Satellite image shows fire near Southern California coast.

Santa Ana winds dry brush and fuel destructive wildfires.

The longest Santa Ana wind event lasted 14 days in 1957.

Santa Ana winds cause hottest days by drying fuels.