“Cooling”, but Hot
AIR QUALITY (PM2.5 AQI as of 8:00AM)
All reporting stations are Good to Moderate.
High pressure eases... but conditions will stay warm to hot. Coastal areas will benefit from a light onshore breeze, which will be of some relief. The ridge will also trap smoke from area wildfires in the area, keeping air quality reduced and skies very hazy. Offshore winds will develop over the ridge tops over the next few nights increasing fire danger. Temperatures cool through mid-week closer to seasonal normal.
***RED FLAG WARNING***
All fire weather watches have been upgraded to RED FLAG WARNINGS. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the DIABLO RANGE in SANTA CLARA COUNTY from 10PM Monday to 8AM Wednesday. In addition, a Red Flag Warning is in effect for the SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS from 10AM Tuesday to 8AM Wednesday. After low pressure drops over the intermountain west beginning late Monday, winds will shift to the north-northeast and becoming gusty in the east bay hills by Monday evening and in the Santa Cruz mountains by Tuesday morning. Locally gusty offshore winds will then continue at times in 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 with the absence of a marine layer
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 Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Poor overnight recoveries 20 to 35 percent. Daytime humidity values 10 to 20, locally lower values possible.
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 on Tuesday.
Poor overnight recoveries 20 to 35 percent. Daytime humidity values 10 to 20, locally lower values possible.
Highest peaks, especially along the Santa Cruz/Santa Clara county line will see the highest threat.
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.ADVERTISING
Tuesday: Patchy fog possible along the immediate coast to start the day, otherwise mostly sunny and very warm. A strengthening sea breeze will cool coastal areas, but highs will remain in the 70s-80s. Inland areas will continue to be hot—just not as hot—with widespread 90s-100s. Breezy for inland valleys in the afternoon.
Overnight: Low clouds fill in near the coast. Patchy to dense fog possible. Lows will be in the 50s-60s for most with 60s-70s in the hills.
Wednesday: Low clouds near the coast in the morning, with clear skies quickly showing. Warm weather will continue, but things will become a little more bearable. Highs will be in the 70s-80s on the coast with 80s to near 100s inland.
Extended: Beyond mid-week, coastal areas will cool slightly but stay seasonable, while inland areas will warm up a few degrees into the weekend. All the while, expect mostly sunny and dry conditions with a few low clouds along the coast in the mornings.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 54ºF
HIGH: 72ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 51ºF
HIGH: 86ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for September 14th – 20th 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.
