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Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
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I lived in, both, OC and San Diego....you are correct that the winds are much more stronger/severe in OC (especially near canyons), but I barely noticed them, if at all, in downtown San Diego--so it is/was different....in San Diego we got the benefits of the warmer temperatures from the Santa Ana conditions, minus the excessive winds.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrJester
Maybe it's different in San Diego, but those Santa Ana winds blow very hard in the canyons of Orange County.
I don't know anyone who's saying Santa Ana winds are anything but nasty. They're not as bad as a Minnesota blizzard, but they're still very uncomfortable. I'm not talking about fire danger at all. I'm talking about how dry and itchy you become from those winds.
This past year seems to have been a very mild year for Santa Ana's, but some years it gets bad.
I lived in, both, OC and San Diego....you are correct that the winds are much more stronger/severe in OC (especially near canyons), but I barely noticed them, if at all, in downtown San Diego....in San Diego we got the benefits of the warmer temperatures from the Santa Ana conditions, minus the excessive winds.
Well of course, Downtown SD is right on the water and Santa Ana's are weakest at the coast. They're stronger and more frequent inland, around Escondido and Rancho Bernardo.
From what I read, it really depends on the year. Some years Escondido and Rancho Bernardo actually get stronger Santa Ana winds than the canyons of OC. Some years it's the reverse. During years with plenty of rain, like these past two years, everywhere gets less Santa Ana winds.
Wouldn't you agree, though, that strong Santa Ana winds are more uncomfortable than even the summers of Miami?
Well of course, Downtown SD is right on the water and Santa Ana's are weakest at the coast. They're stronger and more frequent inland, around Escondido and Rancho Bernardo.
From what I read, it really depends on the year. Some years Escondido and Rancho Bernardo actually get stronger Santa Ana winds than the canyons of OC. Some years it's the reverse. During years with plenty of rain, like these past two years, everywhere gets less Santa Ana winds.
Wouldn't you agree, though, that strong Santa Ana winds are more uncomfortable than even the summers of Miami?
Austin has nothing like Santa Ana winds.
Austin may have 100 degree humid summers, alternating flood and drought years, thunderstorms, periodic torrential tropical rainfall, some winter freezes, and occasional tornadoes. And cedar pollen (bad for allergies). But no uncomfortable Santa Ana winds.
Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
7,438 posts, read 6,604,171 times
Reputation: 6718
yes, besides the excessive winds during the winter months in OC the Santa Ana's could make it quite warm (90's plus) for numerous spells in the summer.
San Diego had its share of hot spells in the summer as well, though it seemed they were more from 3-5 day periods between mid August - late September and more due to remnants from tropical storms working their way up from Mexico that were accompanied with muggy weather and no breezes...once October hits, it could be a warm day temperature wise but due to the rotation of the sun it does not feel as warm as an August or September day with the same temperature reading.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrJester
Well of course, Downtown SD is right on the water and Santa Ana's are weakest at the coast. They're stronger and more frequent inland, around Escondido and Rancho Bernardo
From what I read, it really depends on the year. Some years Escondido and Rancho Bernardo actually get stronger Santa Ana winds than the canyons of OC. Some years it's the reverse. During years with plenty of rain, like these past two years, everywhere gets less Santa Ana winds.
Wouldn't you agree, though, that strong Santa Ana winds are more uncomfortable than even the summers of Miami?
yes, besides the excessive winds during the winter months in OC the Santa Ana's could make it quite warm (90's plus) for numerous spells in the summer.
San Diego had its share of hot spells in the summer as well, though it seemed they were more from 3-5 day periods between mid August - late September and more due to remnants from tropical storms working their way up from Mexico that were accompanied with muggy weather and no breezes...once October hits, it could be a warm day temperature wise but due to the rotation of the sun it does not feel as warm as an August or September day with the same temperature reading.
Santa Ana winds almost never occur in the summer. You must be confused. They occur almost only in Fall, Winter, and Spring.
About the muggy part, I get it. If you live in Inland parts of San Diego County like Escondido, the heat waves are often accompanied by dew points in the 70s. Temps and dew points to rival Austin. The only difference is that In Escondido, those heat waves are balanced out by many stretches of days in the low 80s and low dew points while the heat and humidity is non stop in Austin.
False statement. They can occur any time of the year. In the summer during a Santa Ana, the Valleys can be as hot or hotter than Palm Springs.
I believe he's correct in saying they almost never occur in summer. Santa Ana winds are primarily an autumn event. In my 20+ years in SoCal I don't believe I've ever witnessed Santa Anas in the summer.
That said, one of my favorite weather patterns is a Santa Ana 'condition' in winter. This is when there is high pressure over the inland desserts without appreciable winds. The sky is crystalline clear, you can see forever and you get a couple 80 degree days in Jan or Feb.
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