Excessive Heat & Fire Danger
Temperatures will cool slightly for Thursday as the strong ridge moves to our southeast. Cooler air aloft along with a slightly more developed (but cloud-less) marine layer will bring cooling, especially in the afternoon hours. Most areas will still see high temperatures ranging from 15-30ºF above normal, however!
With the ridge to our southeast, some mid-level moisture will get pumped into our area from the south. The most likely scenario is just a fleet of mid to high level clouds moving through, but it’s possible that the threat of isolated (mostly dry) thunderstorms may develop. We are monitoring closely and will have a more definitive update during our Thursday newscasts, so make sure to tune in!
AIR QUALITY: Good to Moderate
***EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING***
…for the Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Clara County, and the southern valleys and higher elevations of Monterey & San Benito Counties now in effect until 11PM Friday.
*Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 102 [or higher]
*Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
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.
***RED FLAG WARNING***
…for the hills/ mountains and southern valleys of Monterey County and the hills/mountains of San Benito County in effect until 8PM Thursday.
Hot and dry conditions during the day coupled with little to no relief at night will persist through at least Thursday. Pulses of offshore flow (north to northeast winds) will occur both day and night as well. Additionally, fuel moisture remains critically low. As result, Red Flag conditions will develop across portions of the Central Coast early Wednesday lasting through at least Thursday evening.
* WINDS...North 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as upper single digits during the day and less than 30 percent at night.
* LIGHTNING...None.
* IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity. Outdoor burning is not recommended and follow local burn bans.
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.
**HEAT ADVISORY**
…for coastal Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties and the lower elevation valleys of Monterey & San Benito Counties now in effect until 11PM Friday
*Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.
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.
Overnight: Clear with lows in the 50s to low 60s for the coast and lower elevation valleys and 70s-80s up in the hills.
Thursday: Sunny and hot early with highs reaching the 80s-90s for most coastal areas. The sea breeze will kick in around lunch time and moderate coastal temps thereafter. Inland areas will keep warming back into the 90s and 100s with occasionally windy conditions across the southern hills late in the day. High clouds increase late.
Friday: Scattered high clouds passing through and perhaps some low cloudcover/fog on the coast as we get another weak southerly surge. Cooler, but still hot with coastal highs in the 70s to 90s and 90s-100s inland. Wind up valleys late in the day. Watching for low probability dry lightning chances.
Extended: The high will remain off to our southeast into the weekend, building briefly back toward us on Saturday which should warm temperatures back up a bit. It will slowly weaken into next week with a weak trough developing on the West Coast. Temps still look to be above normal through Monday, but more seasonable and potentially cloudy weather is possible on the coast starting Tuesday.
*Note: Any alerts from the National Weather Service in Monterey will be noted in italics above. Alerts may be edited for brevity or local clarification
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 52ºF
HIGH: 71ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 48ºF
HIGH: 81ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for October 10th – 16th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal precipitation.
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: La Niña Watch
- ENSO Forecast: Transition to La Niña into the fall and persist through the winter months.
- Area drought status: Abnormally dry for areas around Monterey Bay northward. Drought-free elsewhere.
- Monterey Bay Sea Surface Temperature* as of October 3rd : 61.0ºF
