angel city art logo AngelCityArt.com - Southern California Weather & Seasons
AngelCityArt Home
Architecture - Los Encinos
Architecture - Lankershim Bldg
Architecture - Sepulveda Tunnel
Art & Photography
Los Angeles Traffic & Rantings
So Cal Neon & Cool Signage
So Cal Photos
So Cal Weather and Seasons
The Cali Artwork Collection
Vintage Books
Wallpaper - About - Links
AngelCityArt Blog

Here's what's going on in our store:
California & LA Logos and Art
California and Los Angeles Logo Art
Retro logos or Patriotic Red, White and Blue
Nickel and Dimed Theme Park Slogan Tote Bag
Nickel & Dimed Shopper
Slogans for magical vacationers
Be Nice or I'll send you to a meeting
Be Nice or I'll send you to a meeting
Snappy slogans for assistants and bosses

The Devil Winds, the Red Winds, The Santa Ana Winds

While the rest of the country bundles up for the winter, Southern California smugly puts on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.  Part of the thanks or the blame, belongs to the Santa Ana Winds.  Hot and dusty, the Santa Anas carry a large number of positive ions and have also been called 'ill winds' or 'the Devil Winds'.  They help keep Southern California warm during the winter, but it can come at a cost.LA palm trees in the santa ana winds

The mysterious winds are formed when the inland Mojave and Sonoran Deserts are cold, usually from October through April.  Known as downslope winds, air is drawn through the mountains down into the Los Angeles Basin, Orange County and northern San Diego County.  Winds reach speeds of 70 mph, which qualifies as hurricane force.  The Santa Ana Winds can even force pollution from Los Angeles across the Pacific Ocean to Catalina Island.

Sometimes they are enchanting and seductive.  The warm currents feel silky on your skin and you find yourself looking up at the sky, taking a deep breath of nature’s heady soul thinking anything is possible.

Other times the Santa Ana winds are heavy and ominous.  Hurricane-force winds reach under your clothes to scratch at your skin.  You close your eyes and mouth to shut out the grit hurling at you, pulling your hair into tangled knots.  Dust Devils spin past, picking up trinkets and carrying them into their tall curving funnels.  Sharp, jagged palm fronds fly through the air and tranquil fishing ponds are turned into choppy tempests.

The Witch Winds or the Santa Ana Winds carry a large number of positive ions.  Positive ion winds are known to inflame asthma and cause depression, anxiety, irritation, exhaustion and insecurity.  Animals are also effected by the winds.  Outdoors, my dog eyes me from across the yard with a low, hunched-down stare.  His teeth seem suddenly bigger and his eyes look small and beady.  Some primal instinct makes me want to pick up a club or a spear.  Instead, I close the door, deciding the dog would enjoy more time outside in the fresh air.  Indoors, the cat drops by for a quick snack.  He has covered  himself with dirt and the fur in his coat sticks out like little spikes.  He stalks through the house like a panther, flipping his tail impatient and prickly.  I know if I touch him we'll both get a shock.

The native Southern California Chumash Indians know of the winds from long ago.  Shamans understand their meaning and can read secrets carried on the winds.  Powerful winds sometimes foretold the coming of gods.  And goddess Mother Momoy promised if the winds got too bad she would protect her people in her sacred abode in the mountains.  Similar ill winds blow in different lands and are called by different names.  Australia has The Desert Winds, Israel has Sharav, Italy has Sirocco and Egypt calls theirs Khamsin.

Raymond Chandler wrote about the Santa Ana winds in the opening line of his story Red Wind;
    "There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot, dry, Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that, every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen."

There are a few things you can try to counteract the negative effects caused by the positive ions in the Santa Ana winds.  First, slather on lots of heavy duty moisturizer, body lotion and lip balm.  Make sure you are up to speed with your allergy meds.  Natural fiber clothing will help reduce static electricity.  Protect your skin from the dust with long sleeves.  A hat or scarf will keep your hair from flying into tangles.  Leave-in hair conditioner helps cut down on static, clingy hair.  Indoors, use water to increase moisture levels and produce negative ions with a small desk fountain, an aquarium or a humidifier.  Or try a commercial negative ion generator and static guard.  And just remember, it is winter and you're still in that tee shirt.

Mysterious, seductive and strong, the Santa Ana Winds are one of the unique phenomena that helps gives Southern California its allure.

Interesting Links


Tips on How to
Live and Breath
in
California's Santa Ana Winds

Sailing Balboa Lake in California Santa Ana Winds

Only ducks sail choppy Balboa Lake when the Santa Ana Winds are blowing

In southern California October through April is the season for The Santa Ana Winds.  Hot and dusty, the Santa Anas carry a large number of positive ions and have also been called 'ill winds'.  Studies show that positive ion winds can inflame asthma and worsen other respiratory problems, cause body pains, headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue.  They have also been known to cause depression, anxiety, irritation, exhaustion and insecurity.

The winds are formed when the inland Mojave and Sonoran Deserts are cold.  Known as downslope winds, air is drawn through the mountains down into the Los Angeles Basin, Orange County and northern San Diego County.

There are a few things southern Californians can try to counteract the negative effects caused by the positive ions in the Santa Ana winds.  First, use a heavy duty moisturizer, body lotion (with beeswax) and lip balm.  Rehydrate yourself with plenty of water and juice.  Protect your skin from the dust with long sleeves, and a hat or scarf will keep your hair from flying into tangles.  Leave-ion conditioner helps too. 

Natural fiber clothing will help reduce static electricity.  Use anti static dryer sheets in the laundry, on the couch and on other fabrics.  Indoors, use water to help produce negative ions with a small desk fountain, an aquarium, bowls of water, or a humidifier.  Or try a commercial negative ion generator and static guard.  Plants are always welcome indoors and also help clean the air.  And just remember, it is winter and you're still in that tee shirt.

Here is a great site with maps, models and information by Robert G. Fovell, Assoc. Prof., Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at UCLA
http://www.atmos.ucla.edu/~fovell/ASother/mm5/SantaAna/winds.html



Hot as Hades in the City of the Angels!
The Great September 2007 Heat Wave

hot temperatures in the san fernando valley

Saturday was 112 degrees. The cast iron skillet felt cold in my hand when I was outside setting up the photo.  I had to flee into the house after a few moments before I melted!

hot dog temperatures in the san fernando valley

Sunday got up to 114 or so.  I got a better photo of the thermomiter, but was only 100 at the time.

The dog was happy to go back in the house!
I put a few ice cubes in his water dish.

photographer melts in hot weather los angeles

OK, anything over say, 105 stops being fun.  Monday was 116.  Normally it cools down at night but the last few days have been close to 90 overnight.  Things are starting to smell funny....






Thanks for visiting AngelCityArt.com!  Articles, photographs and other content ©Laura Zinkan 2008.
Find out more about our articles on our AngelCityArt Links Page
Find framed art prints, posters, apparel and home decor at my Cafepress store AngelCityArt.
PRIVACY POLICY: I do not collect or store your data. I do not want your data. I'm just happy you dropped by, thanks!
AngelCityArt Home Los Encinos
Lankershim Sepulveda
Art Photos LA Traffic SoCA Neon SoCal Photos
SoCal
Weather
SoCal Art
Books
Info & Links

Our Other Sites: MomsRetro.com
Not your mother's kitchen
theGardenPages.com
Garden Tips and Artwork
MomsNeon.com
Visit the Neon City