According to the National Weather Service in San Francisco, CA, the Bay Area is grappling with elevated fire weather concerns. Breezy westerly wind gusts between 30 and 55 mph and low humidity levels of 15 to 45 percent have heightened the risk of spreading grass and brush fires quickly in the Diablo and Santa Cruz ranges. Residents are urged to exercise caution, properly secure tow chains, fully extinguish cigarette butts, and avoid activities that could generate sparks, as per the National Weather Service.
In the wake of these conditions, the NOAA Weather Radio station on Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County has gone off air due to technical difficulties at the transmitter site, with no estimated time for restoration yet however, alternative broadcasts can still be accessed from San Francisco and Monterey, the NWS has issued an apology for any inconvenience caused. On a lighter note, the forecast for the 4th of July promises seasonably cool and breezy weather for those in the Bay Area and Central Coast looking forward to the holiday festivities.
The persistent elevated fire danger has permeated the area forecast discussions, too. "Breezy onshore flow persist overnight with gusts 30-50 mph," reports the National Weather Service, highlighting that although relative humidity values have been moderate thanks to marine influences, winds could still threaten fire safety. The NWS further suggests that the Fourth of July will experience a cloudy start in some areas with pleasant temperatures for early July, ranging from the 60s to the low 90s inland.
Heading into the weekend, an upper-level trough is expected to introduce a more widespread and deeper marine layer, while onshore winds will likely ease off just a touch from the previous days' intensities. Despite these changes, the microclimates of the Bay Area mean that interior and higher elevation regions may still face near-critical fire weather conditions. Looking further out, a warming trend is on the horizon beginning next Tuesday, reaching a peak on Thursday, especially within the interior Central Coast region where the probabilities of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees leap to a 70-80% chance. Coastal locales, on the other hand, should remain cooler due to persistent onshore flow.
