Heat Alerts Through Sunday

We’ll be cooler (but still warm) on the coast this weekend while excessive heat continues inland. High pressure remains in control off to our southeast, keeping a warm air mass in place over us. Mid-level moisture will continue to stream in from the south, but only a few clouds are expected from it. I’ve backed off coastal heat for the weekend because even the differential heating inland is altering our offshore pressure gradient. We saw that in action on Friday and we’ll probably see another round of stronger onshore flow Saturday and Sunday even with the slight warming aloft.

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 Sunday.

*Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 101.

*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.

**HEAT ADVISORY**
…the lower elevation valleys of Monterey & San Benito Counties with temperatures up to 100ºF…

… and for coastal areas of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties where temperatures at the immediate coast and beaches will be in the 70s and 80s but just inland will be up to 93 degrees…

…extended until 11PM Sunday

*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.

Overnight: Patchy fog on the coast and mid to high level clouds moving through at times. Coastal and valley lows in the 50s with 60s to low 80s up in the hills.

Sunday: Mostly sunny with a few mid level to high clouds passing through and a few low clouds on the coast. Expect coastal highs in the upper 60s to low 80s with upper 80s to around 102ºF inland. Windy up valleys late in the day.

Extended: Temperatures trend cooler into early next week with low clouds returning more regularly to the coast. Highs should be close to normal by Tuesday and even below at times through the end of the week. We’re watching next Friday as a system clips by to our north.

*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 12^th – 18^th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near 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 5^th : 60.7ºF