Plenty of Sunshine – Hot Inland, Warm at the Coast
Excessive heat and critical fire danger will dominate the forecast through the Fourth of July holiday all the way through the weekend. High pressure continues to build in from the west, bringing an excessively hot air mass and squashing our marine layer back to the immediate coast. Temperatures will continue to rise as the high settles in late in the week. Coastal temps will peak on Friday about 15ºF above normal before onshore flow slowly deepens and strengthens through the weekend. Inland temps will peak on Saturday, some 20ºF above normal and with most areas at or above the century mark. Some favored locations could push 115ºF+. It’s worth noting that the majority of the population in the KION coverage area lives within the coastal zones—which will be quite warm on some days, but not extremely hot.
AIR QUALITY: Good to Moderate
***RED FLAG WARNING***
…for the Santa Cruz Mountains in effect EXTENDED to 5am Friday.
North-northeast winds are expected to develop this evening across the ridges of North Bay and East Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains, along with the Marin and Sonoma Coastal Ranges. Dry, offshore winds will persist Monday evening through Tuesday evening over all these areas, and continue through Wednesday afternoon across the North Bay interior mountains, which will result in elevated fire weather concerns. Gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be possible across ridgetops and higher peaks.
*Northwest 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
*Relative Humidity as low as 10 percent.
* Temperatures up to 106.
*Critical fire weather conditions. Increased chance for fire starts in dry, open grasses. Outdoor burning and especially fireworks are not recommended.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now...or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
***EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING***
… for the mountains and higher elevation valleys (above 250ft) of Monterey County, the mountains and higher elevations valleys (above 500ft) of San Benito County, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the KION coverage area in Santa Clara County in effect NOW extended until 11PM Tuesday, July 9th.
-Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures in the upper 90s to 115F expected. Limited overnight relief with low temperatures in the mid 60s to low 80s. Resultant widespread Major HeatRisk, with areas of Extreme HeatRisk.
*Most individuals will be at risk for heat-related illnesses without effective cooling or adequate hydration, especially with prolonged outdoor exposure. Without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration, heat-related illnesses including heat stroke will be a risk to everyone. Overnight lows will warm as well leading to poor relief from the heat specifically in elevated terrain and interior areas.
*An exceptionally dangerous situation is expected to unfold over the next week as we enter a potentially historic and deadly heat event. Several days of temperatures well above normal will lead to compounding effects among people and infrastructure, with the possibility of numerous heat related fatalities. It cannot be stressed enough that while one day at these temperatures may be manageable for some, an event of this scale, magnitude, and longevity will likely rival anything we've seen in the last 18 years. Heat is the number one weather related killer in the United States. By this weekend, it is VERY LIKELY that we add to that statistic if preparations
are not taken seriously.
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
**HEAT ADVISORY**
…for the lower elevations of Santa Cruz County and for the lower elevation inland valleys of Monterey & San Benito Counties in effect NOW extended until 11PM Tuesday, July 9th.
*Temperatures in the 80s to mid 90s
*Those sensitive to heat, such as the homeless,elderly, children, and pets will be at risk for heat-related illnesses. Those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration will be at the greatest risk.
*An exceptionally dangerous situation is expected to unfold over the next week as we enter a potentially historic and deadly heat event for inland areas. Several days of temperatures well above normal will lead to compounding effects among people and infrastructure, with the possibility of numerous heat related fatalities. It cannot be stressed enough that while one day at these temperatures may be manageable for some, an event of this scale, magnitude, and longevity will likely rival anything we've seen in the last 18 years. Heat is the number one weather related killer in the United States. By this weekend, it is VERY LIKELY that we add to that statistic if preparations are not taken seriously..
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
Wednesday: Sunny. Expect coastal highs in the mid 60s to low 80s—warmest on the south side of the bay—and low 80s up to 108ºF inland. Breezy southwesterly onshore flow becoming windy for inland valleys late in the day.
Overnight: Clear skies across the region. Low clouds possible near the immediate coast, which could mean partly cloudy conditions for a few coastal cities. Hazy conditions come dawn. Lows will be mild to warm, with widespread 50s for coastal and nearby valleys, farther inland and ridges 60s to 70s.
Thursday: Patchy AM coastal fog, otherwise sunny and warmer with coastal highs in the 70s-80s and mid 80s to around 110ºF inland.
Extended: Coastal temps will peak on Friday about 15ºF above normal before onshore flow slowly deepens and strengthens through the weekend. Inland temps will peak on Saturday, some 20ºF above normal and with most areas at or above the century mark. Some favored locations could push 115ºF+. Low clouds will eventually return to coastal areas too—likely in full force by Monday or Tuesday. Inland areas will remain well above normal through Tuesday, but will cool quite a bit from the Saturday peak.
*FIRE WEATHER WATCH*
… for Fire Weather Zone 516 Southern Salinas Valley/Arroyo Seco and Lake San Antonio, Fire Weather Zone 517 Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, and Fire Weather Zone 518 Mountains of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County including Pinnacles National Park.
*In effect from 9AM Friday Morning through Sunday night 11:59pm.
*Gusty winds and low humidity for the Santa Lucia Mountains, San Benito County, and Southern Salinas Valley.
*Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
*Relative Humidity as low as 5 percent.
*Temperatures up to 114°
*Critical fire weather conditions. Increased chance for fire starts in dry, open grasses. Outdoor burning and especially fireworks are not recommended.
A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 53ºF
HIGH: 68ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 51ºF
HIGH: 84ºF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for July 10th – 16th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal* precipitation.
*Note: little to no precipitation typically falls this time of year
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: La Niña Watch
- ENSO Forecast: Transition to La Niña by late summer.
- Area drought status: Currently drought-free
- Monterey Bay Sea Surface Temperature* as of July 1st : 55.3ºF
(Historic June AVG: 58.4ºF) -- *average of three buoys
