26/208 AM.
Hotter than normal conditions will continue for the foreseeable future, generally hottest through Sunday. Slightly cooler Monday through Thursday, with heat increasing again Friday and Saturday. The hot daytime and warm night conditions will bring elevated risks of heat-related illness.
(tdy-Tue), 26/204 AM.
An influx of mid-to-upper level moisture is pushing into southern California from Mexico. This moisture will bring partly to mostly cloudy conditions at times today to Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties. Any time there is an influx like this, the chances for some light showers lifts above 0%. The atmosphere is fairly stable however. There are some mesoscale sources of lift as some weak disturbances rotate through, but they are light. As a result, there is a 5-15% chance for some fat-drop light showers and a remote (0-5%) chance of a mostly dry thunderstorm. These chances peak in the mountains and deserts this afternoon and evening. Will continue to monitor for any changes.
Overall, latest models in good synoptic agreement through the short term period. At upper levels, high pressure centered near the 4 Corners will slowly wobble eastward through the period. At the surface, moderate onshore flow will continue to the east with weak to moderate northwesterly flow at times.
Forecast-wise, main issue in the short term will continue to be the heat. Highs today topped out in the mid 90s to 104 across the valleys and interior sections. Given the synoptic pattern, will expect H5 heights and thicknesses to slowly decrease through Tuesday. So, Sunday will likely be the warmest day with a bit of cooling for most areas Monday and Tuesday. With warm overnight low temperatures, conditions will remain rather uncomfortable. Heat Risk grids indicate moderate to high heat risk will continue through Monday. So, current suite of HEAT ADVISORIES, as well as the EXTREME HEAT WARNING for the Antelope Valley, are looking good through Monday evening.
Secondary concern for the short term will be winds, specifically Sundowner winds across southern Santa Barbara county. Based on high resolution data, northerly offshore pressure gradients peak Sunday evening and again Monday evening (SBA-SMX gradients forecast to be -3.7 mb). So, there will be some gusty northerly winds across the Santa Ynez Range, especially the western half, and Wind Advisories may be needed, beginning tomorrow.
Given the hot temperatures, as well as low surface humidity and gusty winds, there will be elevated to potentially brief critical fire weather conditions across interior sections through the period. Any grass fires will likely spread very quickly. Additionally, mixing heights will be quite high. So, there will be the potential for some significant, plume-dominated, fire behavior if any fires ignite.
(Wed-Sat), 26/149 AM.
High pressure aloft will continue to dominate through next weekend. Still expecting the slight drop in temperatures to continue through Thursday as the core of the high settles over New Mexico/Texas. The majority of ensemble projections then have the high strengthening some while sliding back towards California Friday through Saturday. Temperatures will likely creep back up 3 to 5 degrees overall. Heat Advisories are not out of the question, but also not a given based on the under performance of the current heat event. That warming will be focused mainly over the coastal areas as the onshore pressure gradients will likely change little.
26/0905z.
At 09Z at KLAX, the marine layer was 1200 ft deep. The top of the inversion was 4000 ft with a temperature of 26 Celsius.
High confidence in VFR conditions through at least Monday at KBUR KVNY KPMD KWJF. There is a 5-10% chance of -SHRA -TSRA at KPMD KWJF today 21-06Z.
Chances for stratus ceilings today and tonight, LIFR/IFR conditions at KPRB (10%) KSBP (20%) KSMX (70%) KSBA (20%) KOXR (80%) KCMA (60%), IFR/MVFR conditions at KSMO (50%) KLAX (50%) KLGB (60%). TAF updates will be slower as high clouds move in and block our view of the low clouds from satellite. Winds will be similar to last 24 hours.
KLAX, 50% chance of BKN008-012 09-16Z today and Monday. High confidence in any east winds staying under 6 knots.
KBUR, High confidence in VFR through at least Monday with typical winds.
26/207 AM.
For the outer waters, moderate to high confidence in the current forecast. Small Craft Advisory (SCA) level winds can be expected most of the time through Thursday night. Local gale force gusts will be possible tonight, with periods of gales possible through the week. SCA level steep and choppy seas are also expected due to the consistent, moderate to strong winds.
For the inner waters north of Point Sal, generally high confidence in the current forecast. SCA level wind gusts should be prevalent much of the time through Wednesday evening followed by conds dropping below SCA levels for Thursday and Thursday night. Steep choppy seas are expected much of the time as well.
For the southern inner waters, moderate to high confidence in the current forecast. The western Santa Barbara Channel will likely see SCA level wind gusts at times mainly in the afternoon and evening hours through Tuesday night. Otherwise and elsewhere, conds will remain below SCA levels through Thursday night.
25/847 PM.
A long period (20-22 seconds) southern hemisphere swell will add to the continuing swell from Hurricane Fausto. This swell will result in an increased risk of dangerous rip currents across the coastal beaches, as well as elevated surf of 3-6 ft across the Los Angeles and Ventura County Beaches. In addition there are strong longshore currents, and powerful breaking waves due to the very long periods. Dangerous conditions have been reported from area beaches, with the highest hazard on exposed south to southwest facing beaches.
A Beach Hazard Statement is in effect at least through the weekend for Los Angeles and Ventura County beaches and the Central Coast beaches.
The Eastern Pacific will remain active with Hurricane Genevieve forecast to track from a location SW of mainland Mexico NWWD to a point well west of southern Baja over the next 5 days. This will result in additional southerly swells to impact the coastline through the middle of next week. As a result, the Beach Hazards Statement has been extended through Wednesday for south and southwest facing beaches.
Ca, Heat Advisory remains in effect until 8 PM PDT Monday for zones 38-88-342>345-348>358-362-366>382-548. (See LAXNPWLOX). Beach Hazards Statement in effect through Wednesday afternoon for zones 340-346-354-362-366. (See LAXCFWLOX). Extreme Heat Warning in effect until 8 PM PDT Monday for zone 383. (See LAXNPWLOX). PZ, Small Craft Advisory in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to 3 AM PDT Tuesday for zone 645. (See LAXMWWLOX). Small Craft Advisory in effect from 6 PM this evening to 6 AM PDT Monday for zone 650. (See LAXMWWLOX). Small Craft Advisory in effect until 3 AM PDT Tuesday for zones 670-673-676. (See LAXMWWLOX).
