Bay Area residents will experience one more day of cool temperatures before the heat kicks in, starting Wednesday. Highs today will hover in the range of the mid-70s to lower 80s inland, climbing to lower 90s in the warmest areas of southern Monterey and San Benito counties, while coastal areas will see upper 50s to lower 60s, according to the latest reports from the National Weather Service San Francisco.
Locals can enjoy lighter onshore winds this afternoon as the upper-level low-pressure system nears the California coast and continues its northerly drift. Still, gusts around 20 mph are possible "through the gaps, passes, and the Salinas Valley," the National Weather Service notes. The marine layer will continue to bring clouds and possible drizzle to coastal areas this morning before a gradual clear-up.
The National Weather Service anticipates a significant warmup with "Wednesday's highs rising to the 80s inland with the warmest spots in southern Monterey and San Benito counties reaching the upper 90s." Those planning outdoor activities later in the week should be warned that patches of Moderate HeatRisk are expected Thursday and Friday across inland portions of the Bay Area, suggesting frequent hydration and cooling breaks are necessary.
The upcoming weekend may offer a slight reprieve from the heat, with temperatures dipping to the lower 80s to lower 90s in the interior Bay Area, as a shortwave trough influences the West Coast weather. However, "localized fire weather threats are possible, particularly in higher elevations above marine layer influence," warns the NWS San Francisco. This suggests extreme caution for anyone engaging in activities that could ignite a wildfire.
