Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. However, "since the wind speeds are so high now, the slow decrease will not bring the winds down to below warning levels until early evening,

Los Angeles County saw multiple wildfires erupt as "extremely critical fire weather" from dry conditions and Santa Ana winds threatened Southern California into Wednesday, and the National Weather Service warned the worst was yet to come.

High pressure is building from the north and that will help to tighten the pressure gradient over southern California, producing more gusty winds.

School districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are closing their campuses Thursday and Friday ahead of the winter storms expected to hit the region. Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Rockwall and Hunt are under a winter storm warning as the National Weather Service forecasts a wintry mix of rain and possibly up to 4 inches of snow that could begin 6 a.

As snow, freezing rain and sleet make their way through North Texas this Thursday and early Friday during the winter storm, most schools and offices are closing their doors, but many other services will remain open.

Here's what to know about banks, the post office and the stock market being open on the National Day of Mourning honoring Jimmy Carter on Jan. 9.

President Joe Biden declared Jan. 9 as a national day of mourning for the late president. This includes flags displayed at half-staff until Jan. 28.