Heat Wave Coming To Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Summer has come early to the Bay Area: from Wednesday through Friday, a sweltering heatwave could bring temperatures over 90 degrees inland, and in the 80s along the coast. In Santa Cruz, the National Weather Service expects temperatures to reach 83 degrees.

A strong high pressure system of westerly wind will bring temperatures 5-10 degrees above normal along the coast, and 15-25 degrees above normal inland, according to the National Weather Service Bay Area. Some records may break: NWS meteorologist Rick Canepa told the San Francisco Chronicle that the last time the Bay Area saw such high temperatures in April was in 1989, when Livermore recorded a high of 89 degrees.

The heat wave is affecting the entire state: in Los Angeles, temperatures are expected to reach the mid-90s in the valleys and downtown, and the mid-80s along the coast: also 15 to 20 degrees above normal, NWS meteorologist David Sweet told the Los Angeles Times.

Meteorologists say Thursday is the biggest day of concern. Temperatures could soar to as high as 92 degrees in the East and South bays. The North Bay is expected to reach the mid-80s, and San Francisco is expected to reach the high 70s, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to cool down slightly on Friday, and return to normal just in time for the weekend.

In Santa Cruz, NWS predicts temperatures to reach 80 degrees Wednesday with wind 5 to 10 miles per hour throughout the day. Thursday temperatures are a little higher at 83 with wind at 5 to 10 miles per hour in the afternoon. Friday temperatures reach 80 before going down to 73 Saturday.

The National Weather Service advises everyone to drink plenty of water, never leave kids or pets unattended in vehicles, and check in on those most vulnerable.

Heat isn’t the only concern: high winds could bring rip currents and sneaker waves 8-12 feet high along the coast. The National Weather Service issued a Beach Hazards statement to coastal cities in San Francisco; the Coastal North Bay, including Point Reyes National Seashore, the Peninsula coast, northern Monterey Bay, southern Monterey Bay, and the Big Sur Coast. The advisory is in effect from 3 a.m. Tuesday until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Anyone at the beach is advised to stay far away from the surf, and never turn their back on the ocean.