As locals in the Bay Area and on the Central Coast pack away their winter clothes to welcome warmer days, the National Weather Service in San Francisco has flagged the return of Minor HeatRisk to our region. According to their forecast, coastal and interior regions should brace for a rise in temperatures that might affect the most heat-sensitive among us. As per the National Weather Service, their advice is to hydrate more, stay in the shade during peak sun, and use fans to circulate cooler night air as effective steps to counter the heat.
Along with the Minor HeatRisk, those planning to hit the beaches might need to rethink their weekend plans. The NWS warns of potentially hazardous beach conditions due to sneaker waves and longshore currents; beachgoers are urged to respect the ocean's power, never turn their back on it, and keep a safe distance while enjoying the sunny skies.
Looking further ahead, the latest Area Forecast Discussion by the NWS San Francisco reveals that this early Spring warmth will be accompanied by hazardous beach conditions and light rain from Sunday into Monday; the high-amplitude longwave ridge axis making its way from the Eastern Pacific Ocean is set to bring a notably warmer atmosphere to the Bay Area and the Northern Salinas Valley, bringing temperatures to or just above seasonal averages.
The NWS also projects a warming trend into Saturday, with the heat affecting the Interior Bay Area and Interior Central Coast before a slight weather shift arrives on Sunday, when an upper-level low from Alaska will nudge the ridge eastward, introducing more clouds and wind. A light rain of a few hundredths for the Bay Area with up to 0.25" expected in far northwestern Sonoma County – a telling difference in the North Bay compared to the Central Coast, their report iterates.
In terms of aviation, pilots should note the presence of patchy fog, sea spray, and haze, especially affecting KMRY and KHAF airports with possible MVFR to IFR conditions as outlined by the NWS, with overall confidence in the predictions being medium to high. For mariners, a decreasing trend in winds and seas is forecasted through Saturday, followed by a cold front on Sunday. Long-period swells will return, causing increased shoaling near the coastline, bays, and harbor entrances.
