The Bay Area is in the throes of a heatwave, with the National Weather Service San Francisco issuing a Heat Advisory that extends through Saturday for parts of the Bay Area and the Central Coast. People living in the Santa Cruz Mountains, North Bay Mountains, the interior East Bay, South Bay, and the Central Coast are advised to prepare for high temperatures ranging from the mid-80s to the lower 100s. The advisory specifically cautions against leaving people or pets in vehicles and recommends limiting outdoor activities during peak afternoon and evening heat.
According to the NWS San Francisco, there's a "Moderate risk of heat-related illnesses" for individuals sensitive to heat, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those working or spending extended periods outside. To mitigate the impact of the heat, they advise drinking plenty of water, wearing light-colored clothing, and seeking shade. In a display of poor punctuation, the advisory, rather bluntly reminds folks of the dangers, "Remember: Never leave people or pets in vehicles! Limit outdoor activities during the afternoon and evening hours, stay hydrated and take cooling breaks."
The weather service also notes the development of a marine layer and potential coastal fog, which could help relieve the heat, particularly at lower elevations. Their Area Forecast Discussion highlights the marine layer's redevelopment along the coast, which is "a little more pronounced than 24 hours ago." For those at higher elevations, however, it stays dry and warm, with nighttime temperatures in the 70s and low 80s.
Beyond the immediate discomfort of the heat, NWS forecasts add fire behavior into this mix, with the Pickett Fire in Napa County showing signs of activity due to dry and mild conditions with temperatures recorded in the 70s and 80s and relatively low humidity levels. The report states, "Elevated fire weather concerns remain and not just because of the new Pickett Fire." The fire outlook anticipates conditions improving later in the weekend and into early next week with a cooldown.
Regarding air travel, VFR conditions are expected to be predominant, with the possibility of stratus arriving earlier this evening due to the inflow of monsoonal moisture. For boaters, the marine forecast anticipates a decrease in wind speeds and calmer seas over the weekend.
