LOS ANGELES (AP) — Santa Ana winds are common in Southern California during cooler months. Here’s a look at the often-fierce winds that topple power lines and trees and can turn a spark into a raging wildfire:
Santa Anas are dry, warm and gusty northeast winds that blow from the interior of Southern California toward the coast and offshore, moving in the opposite direction of the normal onshore flow that carries moist air from the Pacific into the region.
Santa Anas are created by high pressure over the Great Basin — the vast desert interior of the West overlapping several states. The sinking air loses its moisture and flows in a clockwise direction toward Southern California, where it must get past towering mountain ranges that separate the desert from the metropolitan region lining the coast. Like a slow-moving river that suddenly narrows and turns into rapids, the air speeds up as it squeezes through mountain passes and canyons, becoming drier and warmer as it descends.
Humidity levels often plunge to single-digit percentages during a Santa Ana wind. The extreme lack of humidity in the air causes vegetation — living and dead — to significantly dry out and become susceptible to fire. The tremendous wind speeds can stoke any spark — from a fallen power line, for example — into a rapidly spreading conflagration. Santa Anas are linked to some of the worst wildfires Southern California has experienced.
A commonly accepted explanation is that the name is linked to Santa Ana Canyon in Orange County. Other theories persist, along with other nicknames such as “devil winds.”
Santa Ana winds can sweep urban pollution away, creating sparkling vistas. At the same time, the extreme lack of moisture dries out lips, noses, throats and skin. In the short story “Red Wind,” Raymond Chandler captured the emotional effect: “There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch."
FILE - Flags fly under heavy winds before sunset as a plume of smoke from the Franklin Fire rises over the ocean Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes,File)
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 8, 2025--
In an effort to revitalize nighttime tourism, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been showcasing projection mapping art year-round at one of its iconic landmarks, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1. Using light and sound, this initiative has transformed the building into a dynamic canvas for artistic expression. Since its inception, approximately 430,000 visitors* have enjoyed this spectacular display.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205321953/en/
Following the success of the first installment featuring "Godzilla," which premiered this spring, the second chapter, TOKYO GODZILLAs, debuted on Saturday, November 30. On its opening night, the original Godzilla appeared in Citizen’s Plaza to mark the occasion with a countdown to the first screening. The event drew large crowds, including domestic and international tourists as well as enthusiastic Godzilla fans, generating significant excitement befitting such a beloved cultural icon.
The projection mapping show, titled TOKYO Night & Light, first launched in February this year and has already attracted approximately 430,000 visitors*. It is rapidly becoming a must-see attraction in Tokyo’s tourism landscape. With its exceptional artistic quality, cutting-edge technology, and world-class content, TOKYO Night & Light has established itself as a vibrant new destination in Tokyo’s nighttime tourism scene. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the city in an entirely new light.
*as of November 30, 2024
About TOKYO GODZILLAs
*For the time being, the show will be screened during the hours mentioned above. Please visit our website for the detailed schedule.
https://tokyoprojectionmappingproject.jp/en/
Synopsis
Experience the 70-year evolution of the King of Monsters, Godzilla. From the original Godzilla to Godzilla-1.0, the legendary monsters wreak havoc on the streets of Tokyo. Their awe-inspiring forms are projected onto a massive screen at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, captivating audiences with timeless intensity. Don’t miss the grand finale, where Godzillas from different eras assemble in a breathtaking spectacle!
Highlight
Celebrating 70 Years of Godzilla with Iconic Appearances
Marking the 70th anniversary of Godzilla's birth, this production features a roster of legendary forms:
A total of seven Godzillas take the stage, showcasing the creature’s extraordinary 70-year history.
A Fusion of Practical Effects and Cutting-Edge CGI
The production blends traditional special effects with modern CGI. The first half follows the previous work's approach, using Godzilla suits combined with CGI, while the second half features fully CGI-generated scenes of Godzilla rampaging through Tokyo. This fusion of realism and technological advancement delivers an unforgettable visual masterpiece.
A Revolutionary Collaboration with Shirogumi
Directed by Nakagawa, who helmed the previous installment, this project also features Shirogumi, known for their work on Shin Godzilla and Godzilla-1.0. Together, they have crafted an unparalleled cinematic experience, showcasing the power and terror of Godzilla in stunning detail. Prepare to be awestruck by this groundbreaking depiction of the King of Monsters.
Connection Between Godzilla and Shinjuku
Celebrating its 70th anniversary last year, Godzilla -1.0 became a global hit, cementing Godzilla’s status as one of Japan’s most iconic international phenomena. Shinjuku and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building are significant landmarks in Godzilla’s storied history.
In The Return of Godzilla (1984), the Shinjuku area set the stage for a fierce showdown as the Super X aircraft engaged Godzilla in battle. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) also featured the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in a memorable scene. In 2015, a 12-meter-tall Godzilla head was installed in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district, and Godzilla was officially appointed as Shinjuku’s tourism ambassador.
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ certification
Largest architectural projection-mapped display (permanent)
13,904.956 ㎡
TOKYO GODZILLAs ©️TOHO CO., LTD. (Photo: Business Wire)
TOKYO GODZILLAs ©️TOHO CO., LTD. (Photo: Business Wire)
TOKYO GODZILLAs ©️TOHO CO., LTD. (Photo: Business Wire)
