Dangerous Heat Continues For Weekend
Expect slightly cooler but still well-above-normal temperatures through the weekend, though there will be some relief at the coast and lower elevation valleys today. With a ridge of high pressure to our southeast, southerly flow will keep the warm air mass over the region. In addition, mid-level moisture will also stream in giving us some cloudcover at times through around Saturday. While some high based showers may develop, no rain is likely to make it through the hot, dry later below and reach the ground. We have been monitoring for a lightning threat, but at this time, lightning does not look likely. The ridge nudges back toward us this weekend, so temperatures will actually go back upward for a couple of days before a cool-down finally arrives.
AIR QUALITY: Good to Moderate
***EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING***
…for the Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Clara County, and the mountains and southern valleys of Monterey & San Benito Counties extended until 11PM Saturday.
*Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 105.
*Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
*Heat impacts will persist through the weekend.
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 of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Santa Clara Counties in effect until 9AM Saturday
Hot and dry conditions with little to no relief at night will continue through early Saturday. Periodic offshore flow (north to northeast winds) will occur both day and night. Additionally, fuel moistures remain critically low. As a result, Red Flag conditions will continue for the higher elevations of the Santa Cruz Mountains, East Bay Hills, and Central Coast through Saturday morning.
*WINDS...North to Northeast 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
*RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Upper single digits to 25 percent both day and night.
* 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 Saturday
Temperatures up to 98.
*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.
Today: Scattered high clouds passing through and low cloud cover/fog on the coast as we get another weak southerly surge. Slightly cooler, but still dangerously hot with coastal highs in the 70s to mid-80s and 90s to around 103ºF. Windy up valleys late in the day.
Saturday: A few to scattered mid-level clouds, otherwise sunny. Temps actually climb a bit, with coastal highs in the upper 70s to low 90s and 90s to around 106ºF inland. Breezy up valleys late in the day.
Extended: Temperatures will remain hot on Sunday and then begin to cool down on Monday. We’ll likely finally see the return of low clouds to the coast as early as Sunday but definitely by Monday and temperatures will return to more seasonable levels for most areas by 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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 52ºF
HIGH: 71ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 48ºF
HIGH: 81ºF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for October 11th – 17th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and ABOVE 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 4th: 61.4ºF
