Special Weather StatementIssued by the National Weather Service at 11:57 am PDT on August 27, 2008
... Hot and dry weather over the interior of northern California...
High pressure building over northern California from the eastern Pacific will cause a relatively short heat wave over the area. Very hot daytime temperatures are expected today through Friday with maximum temperatures in the Central Valley surpassing the century mark. Maximum temperatures in the mountains will be mostly in the 80s and 90s with some areas above the century mark. The hottest day is expected to occur on Thursday when high temperatures are forecast to top out in the 105 to 112 degree range in the Interior Valley... and 88 to 103 degrees in the populated mountain areas and may result in record or near record high temperatures. Although temperatures will be very hot... humidity levels will be relatively low and heat indices will remain lower than the ambient air temperatures. Therefore... no heat watches or advisories are expected at this time.
Fortunately... the dry airmass over the area will allow overnight temperatures to lower to relatively comfortable levels. Minimum temperatures in the 60s to lower 70s are expected across much of the region while many of the higher mountain valleys will cool into the upper 40s and 50s.
Relief from the heat is expected over the weekend as high pressure begins to weaken. Residents of northern California should monitor the latest weather information concerning the hot weather.
Record high temperatures for Thursday August 28th...
Fire Weather WarningIssued by the National Weather Service at 2:31 PM PDT on August 27, 2008
... Red flag warning remains in effect until 8 PM PDT Thursday...
A red flag warning remains in effect until 8 PM PDT Thursday.
Areas of low humidity will continue through Thursday evening as gusty winds continue through favored canyons... passes... and ridges. North winds of 15 to 30 mph are expected tonight along the west side of the Sacramento Valley. The strongest winds will shift to the eastern foothills and west slopes of the Sierra Nevada Thursday. Humidity will remain in the 25 to 35 percent range overnight... and may drop into the single digits Thursday. Additionally... near record high temperatures in the 100s in the valleys and upper 90s even near 5000 feet are expected Thursday.
The combination of gusty wind... low humidity... hot temperatures and dry fuels has warranted the issuance of a red flag warning through Thursday evening.
Please advise the appropriate officials and fire crews in the field of this red flag warning.