Santa Ana winds through Saturday: what Tijuana can expect, from Friday’s heat to early-Saturday gusts

Baja California’s state civil protection office (CEPC) has warned of Santa Ana winds from Thursday, Oct. 15, through Saturday, Oct. 17, caused by cold front No. 2 and an upper-level trough, according to Uniradio Informa and En Línea BC. The agency, led by coordinator Ignacio Lozoya Morales, expects warm to hot weather across the state.

Tijuana sits at the mild end of the forecast. Gust forecasts from Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN), cited by the CEPC, call for 30 to 40 km/h (about 20 to 25 mph) in Tijuana and Playas de Rosarito on Thursday and 30 to 50 km/h in Tijuana on Friday. The strongest gusts are expected inland and to the south: 60 to 80 km/h on Thursday in Tecate, San Quintín and San Felipe, and 80 to 90 km/h on Friday in Tecate, San Quintín, San Felipe and Ensenada.

Tijuana’s fire department expects Friday to be the hottest day, with a high of 33°C (about 91°F) and winds of 25 to 40 km/h, and says gusts of 60 to 80 km/h are possible early Saturday morning, according to Punto Norte and Tijuana en Línea. It warned that these conditions help fires spread and asked residents not to burn trash or brush, not to toss cigarette butts onto dry vegetation and to tie down tarps, awnings and anything else the wind could lift.

The CEPC also warned of blowing dust and haze that can cut visibility in the city and on highways, and of falling trees, light poles and cables. Its advice: drive carefully, secure loose objects, keep away from trees and power lines, look after children, older adults and pets, and call 911 in an emergency.

What about Simon?

The CEPC is also tracking Simon, which it said could reach San Quintín from Saturday. In its advisory issued at 2 a.m. Thursday, Tijuana time, the U.S. National Hurricane Center described Simon as a small tropical storm about 270 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, nearly stationary, with no watches or warnings in effect. It expects Simon to turn northwest on Friday and weaken into a remnant low by late this weekend, with 1 to 2 inches of rain, locally 3, over parts of Baja California Sur. That advisory does not mention northern Baja California.

If you’re visiting this weekend

• Driving to Tecate, Ensenada or the Valle de Guadalupe on Friday? Those areas have the highest gust forecasts, so allow extra time and watch for blowing dust.
• Friday is the hot day: carry water if you’re walking Avenida Revolución, where Expo Tequila runs through Sunday.

Our Tijuana alert kit lists where to follow official warnings, and the calendar has this weekend’s plans.