A Red Flag Warning and fire weather watch is in effect for portions of Southwest California through Friday due to gusty winds and low relative humidities.

Surface pressure in the Great Basin has brought moderate offshore flow to Los Angeles and Venture Counties. Gusty northeast winds will continue to descend from the mountains into the valleys and coast, weakening this afternoon.

Humidities are also expected to drop belog 15 percent, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Overnight humidity is expected to drop to the teens and single digits. As the offshore flow weakens, gusty winds are expected through the passes and canyons, and a high fire danger will continue through late Friday afternoon.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create extreme fire behavior.