LOS ANGELES – Santa Ana winds are expected to hit Southern California this week, causing dangerous fire weather conditions across much of the region.

According to the National Weather Service, stronger winds are expected in Los Angeles and Ventura counties Sunday night into Monday afternoon.

“Northeast winds gusting to 55 to 80 mph in the mountains and 35 to 55 mph in the valleys are expected at the peak of the Santa Ana event,” forecasters said.

“With the strong winds, relative humidity will fall to between 10 and 20 degrees. The strong winds and low humidity will combine with critically dry fuels to cause widespread critical fire weather conditions in many areas of Ventura and Los Angeles counties , which will result in Red Flag Warnings. If a fire starts, it is likely to grow rapidly.”

Strong advisory-level winds are forecast in the western San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and Highway 14 corridor, parts of the Conejo Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains.

According to the NWS, winds are expected to calm Monday afternoon into Tuesday.