Weather Words: Sundowner Winds

Sundowner winds are a type of warm, dry, and often powerful wind that occurs along the southern and central coast of California, particularly around Santa Barbara. These winds typically blow downslope from the Santa Ynez Mountains toward the coast, usually in the late afternoon or evening, hence the name “sundowner.” They are similar in nature to Santa Ana winds but are more localized and strongly influenced by the region’s unique topography.

Sundowner winds occur when high pressure builds inland and forces air to descend rapidly over the mountains. As the air rushes downhill, it compresses and heats up, creating dry, gusty conditions. These winds often arrive suddenly and can be quite intense, sometimes exceeding 40 to 60 miles per hour. Because they tend to coincide with the driest and hottest part of the day, sundowner winds can significantly raise fire danger, drying out vegetation and spreading flames quickly.

Their unpredictability and strength make sundowners especially hazardous during wildfire season. Several major fires in the Santa Barbara area, including the destructive Cave Fire in 2019, were driven in part by sundowner winds. Meteorologists closely monitor weather patterns in the region to provide early warnings when sundowners are likely to develop.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.