Answer: Dry, warm, and powerful winds from the Great Basin
Notes: Experts link Santa Ana winds and climate change to wildfires in Malibu, California. Named after Santa Ana Canyon, these winds are dry and warm, blowing from the deserts of the Great Basin. They occur when high pressure forms over the Great Basin and low pressure develops along California’s coast. The pressure difference drives strong winds westward over the mountains toward the Pacific Ocean. As winds descend, they heat up and lose humidity—sometimes dropping below 10%, drying vegetation and increasing fire risk. Santa Ana winds usually occur between October and January, driven by winter weather patterns.
