Fire Weather Concerns
AIR QUALITY (PM2.5 AQI as of 6:00PM)
Good to moderate for all reporting stations.
Areas above 1,000ft in elevation will experience diminished air quality.
Cooler weather is expected in the coming days as high pressure eases over the region and increased smoke from wildfires blocks out sunshine. Dry northerly winds will continue over the hills tonight, increasing fire danger. Lower level onshore winds will switch from northwest to southwest into early Wednesday and then back to the northwest again. Winds could be gusty at times. Weak high pressure will then preside over the West Coast into the weekend, but onshore flow will keep temperatures close to normal. Weak systems passing rotating around the ridge will cause brief temperature fluctuations late in the weak and early next week.
***RED FLAG WARNING***
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for the SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS as well as the DIABLO RANGE in SANTA CLARA COUNTY until 8AM Wednesday
Locally gusty offshore winds will continue across the north and east bay hills and Santa Cruz mountains through Wednesday morning. In conjunction with these locally gusty offshore winds, poor overnight humidity recoveries are expected.
For the SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, expect sustained north to northeast winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts 25 to 35 mph above 1000 feet. Strongest winds expected this evening
Poor overnight humidity recoveries of 20 to 35 percent.
Highest peaks, especially along the Santa Cruz/Santa Clara county line will see the highest threat.
For the DIABLO RANGE in SANTA CLARA COUNTY, expect sustained north to northeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts 30 to 45 mph above 1000 feet. Local gusts at isolated peaks and ridgetops may approach 50 mph. Strongest winds expected late tonight and Wednesday morning.
Poor overnight humidity recoveries 20 to 35 percent.
Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is 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.
Overnight: Low clouds return to the coast and nearby valleys with patchy fog possible. Smoke will continue to hang over the area and could diminish air quality. Expect lows in the 50s for most areas.
Wednesday: Low clouds near the coast in the morning with patchy clouds on the coast during the day. Widespread hanging smoke. Northwesterly onshore winds will switch to the south early in the day and then back to the northwest late. Winds could be gusty at times. Temperatures will continue to cool with coastal highs in the 60s to low 70s and mainly 70s-80s inland.
Thursday: Patchy low clouds near the coast, otherwise mostly sunny but smoky. Seasonable to slightly cool with coastal highs in the 60s to low 70s and 70s-80s inland. Breezy for inland valleys during the afternoon.
Extended: Low clouds will be a bit more of a fixture on the coast as we head into the weekend with seasonable to slightly cool temperatures expected both on the coast and inland. Some warming out of the weekend.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 54ºF
HIGH: 72ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 50ºF
HIGH: 86ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for September 16th – 22nd calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal precipitation. Note: Little to no precipitation typically falls this time of year.
-El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Neutral
-Forecast into Winter: La Niña Watch
-Area drought status: Moderate drought for much of Santa Cruz & Santa Clara Counties, Abnormally dry on the east shore of the bay into San Benito County. No drought classification for much of Monterey County outside of the Gabilan Range.
