Heat and fire warnings on Wednesday, remaining above average this weekend

A heat alert is in effect for most of the Central Coast on Wednesday. An excessive heat warning is in effect for the western Santa Ynez Mountain Range through Thursday evening. A heat warning is in effect for all areas except parts of the Central Coast beaches. As expected, the Fire Weather Warning has been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning beginning at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon and ending at 8:00 p.m. Thursday. This applies to the interior mountains of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County. The heat wave will reach its peak on Wednesday with temperatures 5 to 15 degrees above average. We have the potential to break daily records inland and near the beaches! Fortunately, most coastal areas will wake up to foggy skies and a thick layer of stratus clouds.

We'll stay warm and above average through Thursday. Heat and fire issues will be the main topic of discussion, so it is very important to be aware of this and stay safe! The humidity will drop into the single digits and it will be a hot and dry day. There will still be fog and clouds on the beaches, but there will be mostly sunny skies by lunchtime. Most heat and fire warnings expire in the evening.

High pressure will begin to subside and most of the area will see temperatures drop 3 to 5 degrees Thursday, still above average. The onshore current will return and marine clouds will envelop the beaches in the morning. We'll stay above average through the weekend, with high temperatures reaching up to 70 degrees on the beaches. Morning fog turns into evening sun and the wind remains light. The forecast for the extension is on track, with pleasantly warm conditions next week.