Hot Weather and Fire Danger
It's all about the heat, as a ridge of high pressure centers in over the west, squishing the marine layer, and keeping high temperatures WELL ABOVE normal for the next week. The long duration of this heat event will likely take a toll on people sensitive to warm/hot weather. Another pulse of moisture out of the weekend may yield future rain chances as well. Stay tuned.
… from the National Weather Service: A long duration heat wave will impact the region from Friday through at least Wednesday of next week. Excessive heat will target interior locations for the full duration of the heat event, with persistent daily afternoon highs in the upper 90s to mid 100s across the interior. Drastic temperature differences will exist from the coast to the interior and communities just a few to several miles inland may experience rapid warming into the upper 80s to 90s on individual days. In addition, minimal overnight relief is expected for locations above 1000 feet where warm overnight lows will hover in the upper 60s to upper 70s. Due to the long duration of this event, accumulating heat stress will be a significant impact for the general public, pets, vegetation, and livestock across the region, particularly those sensitive to the heat. Relatively cooler conditions are expected to persist near the immediate coast with highs in the 70s to low 80s.
***EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING***
The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for…
- the Santa Clara Valley
- the Diablo Range
- the higher valleys of San Benito County
- the Gabilan Range and Cholame Hills
- the Santa Lucia Range and Los Padres National Forest
- the southern valleys in Monterey County including the southern Salinas Valley
… from 11AM Friday through 9PM Wednesday!
Long duration, excessively hot conditions with daytime highs in the upper 90s to mid-100s. The hottest locations may approach 110ºF.
Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly due to the long duration of the event.
The heat will initially peak on Friday with a few degree easing in the temperatures through the weekend. A second peak in the heat arrives Tuesday into Wednesday of next week.
*Heat Advisory*
for the Santa Cruz Mountains
- northern Salinas Valley
- Carmel Valley/Hollister Valley
- Entire Coastline
from 11AM until 9PM Saturday
Elevated heat will increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations and those working outdoors or in areas without air conditioning.
Friday is forecast to be the warmest day. Additional heat advisories may be warranted throughout the duration of the event.
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.
**Fire Weather Watch**
-In effect this evening though Sunday Evening
-THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN San Francisco HAS ISSUED a Fire
Weather Watch...WHICH IS IN EFFECT from this evening through
Sunday evening.
* WIND...Light wind except for breezy onshore winds in the
afternoon near the coast.
* HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity mid 10s to mid 20s percent across
the higher elevations and interior & 30 to 50 percent nearshore
and lower elevation for today. Recoveries Saturday night in the
30s to 50s across the interior and 60s to 90s alongshore.
* THUNDERSTORMS...High base, fast moving storms will lead to a
risk of isolated dry lightning strikes through the period.
* IMPACTS...Increase in wildfire starts in proximity to
thunderstorms due to isolated dry lightning. Fires may spread
rapidly due to dry fuels and, if nearshore, breezy onshore
winds. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.
Rest of Saturday: A few clouds, but mostly sunny and hot. Coastal highs will be in the 70s to 90s with widespread 90s-100s inland. Breezy at times.
Overnight: A few clouds possible, mostly clear. Warm lows in the 50s-70s.
Sunday: A few high clouds and a *touch* cooler. Coastal spots will see another day in the 70s to potential 90s with inland temperatures in the upper 80s to the lower 100s.
Extended: We’ll be watching another moist plume on Monday/Tuesday of next week. With strong high pressure in control, high temperatures will remain 5-15ºF above normal through the next week. It may also feel a bit muggy at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 54ºF
HIGH: 70ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 52ºF
HIGH: 86ºF
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for August 21st – 27th 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.Local Forecast / Weather / Weather Authority
