Yes, We’re Still Talking About The Heat
Two more days of inland heat are expected before we cool down this weekend. Coastal temperatures will also push back above normal with increased sunshine. The massive hot ridge to our east still dominates the weather across the West and a weak subtropical low sits off southern California. They’ll both work to get light southerly flow going in the mid-levels across our area over the next two days. This will fight against the marine layer and keep pumping warm air into the region. It also may bring some smoke in from the Lake Fire, so we’ll be monitoring air quality. In addition, monsoon moisture will also begin to stream in around the high with high clouds arriving late Thursday, and becoming more numerous Friday & Saturday. There may be enough moisture to get a few (dry) showers or even possibly a (dry) thunderstorm going—the air below the moist layer will remain hot and dry and will evaporate most if any rain that falls. Right now, this is a low probability event, but we’re monitoring.
AIR QUALITY: Good to Moderate
***EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING***
… for the higher elevations (above 1000ft) of Monterey County and the mountains and higher elevation valleys (above 500ft) of San Benito County until 8PM Friday
*Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 110.
…and for the Santa Clara Valley and the Diablo Range in Santa Clara County in effect NOW until 8PM Friday
*Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 106 to 110 with limited overnight cooling in higher elevations expected.
*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 continues to unfold over the next couple of days we continue to move through this deadly heat event for inland areas. Another couple days of temperatures well above normal will lead to compounding effects among people and infrastructure, with the possibility of numerous heat related fatalities.
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 Santa Cruz Mountains, and the lower elevation valleys of Monterey (<1000ft) and San Benito (<500ft) counties in effect NOW until 8PM Friday.
*Temperatures up to 106 expected.
*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.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Despite the downgrade from an Excessive Heat Warning to a Heat Advisory, the long duration of this heat wave will cause cumulative effects and this situation
remains dangerous.
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: Low clouds & fog in the compressed marine layer on the coast and perhaps into nearby valleys. Lows in the low to mid 50s on the coast, mid to upper 50s for inland valleys, and 60s up in the hills.
Thursday: Patchy coastal fog early, then sunny for most of the day. High clouds drift in late with some mid-level smoke possible as well. Warmer, with coastal highs in the upper 60s to upper 70s, 80s-90s in the near coastal valleys, and 100s up to 113ºF in the interior valleys. Windy up valleys late in the day but fairly light winds at the coast.
Friday: Scattered high clouds drifting through from the south. Warm to hot with coastal highs in the upper 60s to upper 70s, 80s-90s in the near coastal valleys, and 100s up to 111ºF in the interior valleys. Windy up valleys late in the day but fairly light winds at the coast.
Extended: Mid to high level clouds will be thicker on Saturday and this is the day where we have the best chance of actually seeing some high-based convection. By Sunday, the mid-level moisture moves out and we’ll be left with a nice day before the more usual summer weather returns next week. Northwesterly surface flow will support partly cloudy marine layer days at the coast. Temperatures will return to seasonal normal for most of next week.
*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 (in parenthesis).
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 54ºF
HIGH: 68ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 52ºF
HIGH: 84ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for July 18th – 24th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and ABOVE 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 11th : 57.7ºF
(Historic June AVG: 58.4ºF) -- *average of three buoys
