As the mercury climbs in the San Francisco Bay Area, residents are getting a taste of summer heat, according to the National Weather Service Bay Area. The forecast promises low to mid-80s inland while the coastline hangs onto cooler air. But for those wilting under the warmth, relief is in sight, with a cooldown expected as the week wanes.
Things are heating up inland! High temperatures in the low to mid 80's are expected inland while cooler temperatures linger along the coast.
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) May 21, 2024
Not a fan of the heat? Stay tuned for cooler temperatures returning late week.#CAwx pic.twitter.com/7jRomJggCD
But before you can embrace the anticipated chill, the Bay Area and sections of the Central Coast contend with a "minor heat risk," as the NWS forewarns of temperatures peaking Tuesday. In a detailed statement obtained by the National Weather Service San Francisco, CA, inland highs are running 5 to 8 degrees above seasonal averages. This heat spell is courtesy of a northerly airflow that is turning drier and warmer by the day.
Coastal residents aren't feeling the same scorch, with an onshore flow keeping the climate more temperate, sporting highs in the upper 50s to mid-60s. Meanwhile, inland areas are braced for drier conditions, as RH values are expected to drop to between 15 and 35 percent. Health officials caution heat-sensitive folks to take care of and hydrate while outdoors.
The change, however, is on the horizon. "Temperatures cool slightly Wednesday and Thursday before a more substantial cool down begins Friday into the weekend," highlighted by a push of upper-level troughing into the region, per NWS. Over the next weekend, the highs are slated to drop 5 to 10 degrees below average. There's even talk of the wet stuff, though light. It's still something to write home about, considering May's dry record.
As skies stay mostly clear for air travel, mariners aren't having as smooth sailing. A bulletin released by the National Weather Service warns of "strong and gusty northwest winds" and gale force gusts through Thursday. The NWS advises that those taking to the sea should brace for rougher waves and hazardous winds easing up later in the week.
