This story, in the L.A. times (48 years ago) shows that they were commonly called "The Santana Winds" (paragraph heading "climate, 1/2 way down story) at that time. They lost their distinctive name when a local meteorologist began calling them....erroneously, the Santa Ana Winds. Prior to that some folks called them the Santa Anas out of ignorance but they soon took on this pronunciation.
Dr. George Fischbeck, a (meteorologist) T.V. weatherman from Albuquerque, was hired by a local Los Angeles T.V. station in the late 60's/early 70's and he became a popular fixture on the "Eye Witness News" presentation nightly throughout the Southland. He had a very 'folksy' manner about him, people loved it....and he began calling the Santana Winds the "Santee Annies" and it took about a generation....but folks started referring to them as "The Santa Anas". Now.....the whole world does!
People who lived here in Southern California will tell you.....growing up, they knew them by their correct name.....The Santana Winds. Any history book or educational materiel on Meteorolgy, written prior to the sixties, will verify the correct pronunciation.
I still call them the "SAHN-TA-NAH" winds and people look at me like I'm crazy! LOL
You are correct...I’m guilty of it too.