Meteorology. (in southern California) a weather condition in which strong, hot, dust-bearing winds descend to the Pacific coast around Los Angeles from inland desert regions.
also (sän'tä ä'nä) A city of western El Salvador northwest of San Salvador. It is an important commercial, industrial, and processing center. Population: 164,000.
A city of southern California east of Long Beach in the fertile valley of the Santa Ana River, about 145 km (90 mi) long. Santa Ana is a manufacturing and trade center for a large metropolitan area. Population: 340,000.
San·ta An·a 2 (sān'tə ān'ə) n. A strong dry hot wind blowing from the desert regions of southern California toward the Pacific coast usually in winter.
[After the Santa Ana Canyon of southern California.]
San·ta An·na or San·ta An·a (sān'tə ān'ə, sän'tä ä'nä) Mexican military and political leader who tried to crush the Texan revolt. Victorious at the Alamo (1836), he was soon after defeated and captured by the Texans. In the Mexican War he lost several major battles (1846-1847) to Gen. Zachary Taylor.
Santa Ana (sān'tə ān'ə) Pronunciation Key
A strong, dry, hot wind that blows from the desert regions of southern California toward the Pacific coast, usually in winter. The Santa Ana wind occurs when a region of high pressure forms over the Great Basin (the high plateau east of the Sierra mountains and west of the Rocky mountains). The clockwise rotation of air around this high-pressure region forces air down from the plateau. As it descends, the air warms up and picks up speed. Because the wind is hot and dry, it contributes to the hazardous fire conditions of southern California.
[san-tuh an-uh or, for 2, 4, Sp. sahn-tah ah-nah] 
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