Weekend Heat Wave Looks Milder Than Last

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High pressure is expected to build into the Pacific Northwest beginning on Thursday, potentially ushering in a heat wave of historic proportions there. (Image 1)

But what about the Bay Area and the North Bay? How hot will it get here?

At this point it appears that the focus of the most intense heat will be Washington and Oregon from Saturday-Monday, with the northern Sacramento Valley also reaching near record temperatures. For the North Bay, it now looks like we should expect a more moderate heat event than the last, with temperatures held down in many areas by coastal breezes.

This chart shows the giant dome of high pressure expected to reach a peak over the Pacific Northwest and southern Canada on Sunday and Monday. (Image 2)

The departure from normal temperatures peaks in Washington and Oregon on Monday with many areas expected to be some 20 degrees warmer than average. (Image 3)

We will get hot inland. This is the forecast for temperatures…up to the 110s in the hottest parts of the Sacramento Valley, but a distinct cool down closer to the coast. (Image 4)

The National Weather Service sees this too. It shows the North Bay moderated by ocean breezes. (Image 5)

Taking a closer look, both the GFS and Canadian models predict moderate temperatures for Sunday and Monday across Sonoma County and the North Bay with a rapid rise further inland. (Images 6 and 7) Of course places like Cloverdale and Ukiah should top 100 degrees as ocean influences are much less there.

Still, the coming week may be warm overall. Here is the forecast for next Thursday. Still somewhat hotter than normal. (Image

This is still a week out, and the forecast could change of course. One thing that won’t is the need for extreme vigilance in terms of fire safety, as record dryness will continue across Northern California with no widespread rain in sight.