Red Flag Warnings Issued for Orange County

Red-flag warnings have been issued for parts of inland Orange County as gusty winds are expected to begin Sunday night, lasting through Tuesday. The National Weather Service said northeast to east winds combined with low humidity will create favorable conditions for wildfires.

Back in 1997 flooding was a bigger concern than wildfires, as a two-day storm beginning on Dec. 6 produced the heaviest rains in Orange County in 70 years. Ten inches of rain was recorded in Mission Viejo and more than four inches in Corona. Mud slides and coastal erosion were reported all over the county.

The National Weather Service forecast for Rancho Santa Margarita:

Saturday afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday night: Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 50. Calm wind.

Sunday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Sunday night: Clear, with a low around 54. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Northeast wind 15 to 20 mph becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Monday night: Clear, with a low around 57.