Santa Ana winds and how we (don't) track them | Edgar McGregor | TEDxPasadena

Wildfire Risk & Santa Ana Winds - The industry highlights the destructive power of Santa Ana windstorms in driving wildfires, emphasizing their unmatched ability to instill fear and cause widespread damage [4] - The report underscores the lack of a standardized scale for measuring Santa Ana windstorms, unlike the scales used for hurricanes and earthquakes, hindering public understanding of the severity of these events [7][8] - The industry proposes the creation of a windstorm scale to better communicate the potential impact of these events to the general public and decision-makers [9] Windstorm Scale & Impact Assessment - The proposed windstorm scale includes a Class 5 event, characterized by 80 mph winds in suburban areas, intended to be as rare as a Category 5 hurricane [11][12] - The industry uses the windstorm scale to analyze past events, noting that the January 2025 windstorm, which caused significant damage, was barely a Class 4 event, highlighting the scale's ability to communicate the intensity of such events [12] - The industry emphasizes the importance of precise language in weather forecasting, noting that vague terms like "strong Santa Ana winds" are insufficient for conveying the true potential for destruction [14] Localized Wind Patterns & Vulnerability - Research indicates that certain neighborhoods are more vulnerable to wind events than others due to localized wind tunnels [21][22] - A map created in April 2024 accurately predicted the burn area of the Eaton fire, demonstrating the ability to identify areas at high risk based on wind patterns [23][24] - The industry suggests that understanding these localized wind patterns can help fire battalion chiefs and other officials make informed decisions about resource allocation and fire containment strategies [26]