Forecasters say the third windstorm of January will focus much of its energy on the region during one of the driest periods on record.

Officials at San Diego Gas & Electric have cut the power to thousands of customers in remote East County as high winds began to blow on Monday night, with a red-flag warning not expiring until 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

To reduce the risk of wildfires in certain areas of San Diego County, San Diego Gas & Electric has begun power shutoffs in high-risk areas again.

A red flag fire weather warning will be in effect from 8 a.m. Monday to 10 p.m. Tuesday for areas generally east of Interstate 15

This weekend's cool temperatures and higher humidity are expected to give way to more Santa Anas and a new red flag warning Monday.

San Diego Gas & Electric more than doubled the number of customers whose power has been shut off Tuesday as Santa Ana winds began booming inland and spreading to coastal area. Through 1:45 p.m., 5,620 customers had lost power,

Parts of San Diego County will be dealing with more Santa Ana winds starting Monday afternoon, and the fire weather conditions could mean potential San Diego Gas & Electric power shutoffs for many communities.