Santa Ana Winds Are Coming: 5 Ways to Windproof Your Roof—Complete Guide
Each fall, a dry, downslope wind barrels out of the Great Basin, scouring Southern California roofscapes with gusts that routinely top 70 mph and, in canyon corridors, even higher. These Santa Ana winds pry up asphalt shingles, flip concrete tiles, and shuttle wildfire embers through every loose vent. If your roof went on before 2010—or without a permit—there is a good chance it was not designed for today’s 110-mph code winds. The following guide blends field data, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) research, and the latest 2022 California Residential Code to help homeowners boost wind resistance, extend roof life, and keep the rain and embers out.
Santa Ana Winds at a Glance
What Are Santa Ana Winds?
Santa Anas form when a cold, high-pressure dome over the Great Basin forces air downslope toward the Pacific. As the flow squeezes through SoCal canyons, it accelerates, dries, and warms, often arriving on the coast below 10% relative humidity. Local weather offices warn whenever gusts reach 60–70 mph; mountaintop stations have clocked peaks above 100 mph.
Average Santa Ana wind events per month derived from NWS event logs 2000-2024. October–January dominate.
When & Where They Strike
Late October through January shows the highest frequency, with the inland Riverside-San Bernardino corridor and the San Gabriel’s acting as wind tunnels. Outside these “special wind regions,” coastal Los Angeles and Orange counties still see sustained speeds above 40 mph several times each season.
How High Winds Damage California Roofs
Uplift, Shear & Debris Impacts
Wind skims over a pitched roof faster than the air beneath, creating a pressure drop that tries to peel shingles from the eaves upward. Loose roof-deck sheathing can lift once the covering fails. Flying tree branches and ridge-top debris then bruise exposed felt or PVC membranes.
Wildfire Ember Intrusion
The same pressure gradient sucks embers through soffit vents, ridge vents, and warped flashing, sparking attic fires minutes after a nearby blaze. CAL FIRE post-fire surveys tie more than one-third of total structure losses to ember entry rather than direct flame.
Know Your Roof’s Current Wind Rating
Decoding the 2022 CRC Wind Map
California adopts the ASCE 7-16 ultimate wind-speed map. Most coastal counties lie at 110 mph for Risk Category II homes, with inland passes designated “C” exposure.
| County | Ultimate design speed (mph) | Typical exposure |
| Los Angeles | 110 | B-to-C (open valleys) |
| Orange | 110 | B |
| Riverside | 110 | C (canyon edges) |
| San Bernardino | 110 | C |
| Ventura | 110 | B |
2022 CRC wind design criteria for selected Southern California counties
Is Your Home Up to Code?
- Built pre-2010 or reroofed without inspection? Schedule a structural roof check.
- Look for permit stickers or stamped sheathing nails; absence often signals older 6d smooth nails spaced 12″+ apart.
- Verify the covering’s wind class: ASTM D7158 Class H (150 mph) asphalt or properly clipped tiles.
5 Proven Ways to Wind-Proof Your Roof
1. Reinforce the Roof Deck
Re-Nail with Ring-Shank Nails
Drive 8d ring-shank nails 4″ o.c. along panel edges and 6″ o.c. in the field. Lab pull tests show 2–3× uplift strength over old smooth nails.
Seal Deck Seams
Apply 4-in. butyl flashing tape over every sheathing joint, then lay a fully adhered synthetic underlayment. IBHS reports deck-seam taping cuts water intrusion up to 95 % once the covering is lost.
2. Install High-Wind-Rated Coverings
Class H Asphalt Shingles
Six-nail fastening and self-sealing asphalt strips hold to 150 mph on a sealed deck.
Secured Concrete & Clay Tiles
Retrofit screws or two-part foam beneath each tile; field tests in Lytle Creek cut tile loss by 70 %.
3. Fortify Edges & Ridges
- Lock drip-edge metal to the deck with #12 screws 4″ o.c.
- Use starter strips and ridge caps rated equal to the field covering.
- Choose Florida-approved ridge vents that resist wind-driven rain.
4. Strengthen Connections & Gable Ends
- Install hurricane clips (Simpson H2.5A or equal) at every rafter-to-top-plate joint; each adds roughly 150 % capacity to that connection.
- Brace open gable overhangs with 2×4 ladder-framing or retrofit blocking.
5. Maintain & Ember-Proof the Roof
- Clear loose shingles, palm fronds, and pine needles before each watch—debris elevates pressure at the edges.
- Swap old ¼-in. vents for ≤⅛-in. metal mesh.
- Keep a 5-ft non-combustible zone—gravel, concrete, or trimmed ground-cover—around the eaves.
Cost-Benefit Snapshot
| Measure | Typical cost (1,800 ft²) | Expected wind-loss reduction* |
| Deck re-nailing & seam tape | $1,200 – $2,000 | 40–60 % fewer deck failures |
| Class H shingle upgrade | +$400 materials | 30–50 % fewer shingle losses |
| Tile clip/foam kit | $1.50 – $2.50 per tile | Up to 70 % tile hold-down |
| Hurricane clips | $8 – $12 each | Load-path continuity to 130 mph |
*Based on IBHS field studies and Alabama FORTIFIED claims data showing 15–40 % lower claim severity.
Permits, Code Compliance & Insurance Perks
C-39 roofing permit required whenever you re-nail a deck or replace the covering in California.
Ask your carrier about IBHS FORTIFIED Roof discounts; several SoCal underwriters credit certified roofs up to 10 % on premiums.
Pre-Wind-Event Checklist
| Task | Timing | Why it matters |
| Photograph every slope | Early Oct | Proof for claims |
| Remove loose satellite dishes | Before watch | Prevent projectile damage |
| Sweep valleys & gutters | Monthly | Lower water damming risk |
| Trim tree branches 10 ft from eaves | Pre-season | Reduce direct impact |
| Book a post-event inspection | Within 48 hrs | Spot hidden punctures |
Santa Ana Winds Pre-Event Checklist
-
Photograph Every Slope
Early October | Proof for insurance claims -
Remove Loose Satellite Dishes
Before wind watch | Prevent projectile damage -
Sweep Valleys & Gutters
Monthly | Lower water damming risk -
Trim Tree Branches 10 ft from Eaves
Pre-season | Reduce direct impact -
Book Post-Event Inspection
Within 48 hrs | Spot hidden punctures
Share with neighbors! Stay safe this wind season.
Source: CAL FIRE, IBHS, 2022 CRC
Conclusion
A Santa Ana night can turn a few loose shingles into soaked insulation and smoldering rafters. By securing the deck, locking edges, and choosing rated coverings today, you convert an older roof into a 110-mph, ember-tight shield—often for less than the deductible on a single claim. Ready to wind-proof your home? Schedule a certified roofing inspection this week and take advantage of pre-season pricing while skies are calm.
Appendix/Resources
- CAL FIRE Home-Hardening Guide
- IBHS FORTIFIED Home Standard
- 2022 California Residential Code, §R301.2
- National Weather Service Santa Ana archives
Author
Tom Byer, C-39 licensed roofing contractor, 22 years experience inspecting and upgrading roofs across Los Angeles and Orange County.
(All figures use public NOAA wind logs 2000-2024 and IBHS cost benchmarks; see citations.)