Potentially Record-Breaking Heatwave Brings Dangerous Fire Weather to Northern California
The past week has seen moderate weather conditions throughout Northern California, giving residents a reprieve from the heat and firefighters some hope while fighting California’s historic wildfires. That will all change this weekend as a potentially record-breaking heatwave is expected along the west coast, bringing dangerous fire conditions to NorCal.
Weather forecasts are predicting summer-like heat and breezy conditions throughout the area Saturday through Monday, creating elevated fire conditions which will stoke existing fires and be conducive to start new ones. The National Weather Service has announced a Fire Weather Watch over the weekend, asking residents to refrain from doing anything in the outdoors that could start a new wildfire.
📣 A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for this weekend. Dry north to east winds are expected along with low relative humidity values. Critical fire weather conditions are possible. #CAwx #CAFire pic.twitter.com/lSB9I5w4At
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) September 24, 2020
In anticipation of the weather event, PG&E has alerted some customers in NorCal that it may begin shutting off power in areas vulnerable to a wildfire event. The areas impacted are expected to be those along the Sierra, especially in Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties. On Thursday, residents in Butte County received an alert of the potential power shutoff. You can view the PG&E outage map here.
Well just got my .@PGE4Me #PSPS Outage Alert 09/24/2020: Due to weather PG&E may turn off power for safety on 09/26/2020. Est shutoff: 6 PM – 8 PM. Est restoration: 09/28/2020 by 8 PM. Weather can affect shutoff & restoration.
— D. Wilson (@ButteWxSpotter) September 25, 2020
By Sunday, temperatures are expected to return to triple digits in the valley, looking much more like summer than fall.
It has been over 2 weeks since we've experienced widespread triple digit heat across interior #NorCal. The calendar may say its fall, but summer-like heat will return to the #CentralValley early next week. 🥵 #CAwx pic.twitter.com/AnthicGHm4
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) September 24, 2020
Weather models are currently predicting that temperature records could be broken over Sunday through Monday:
Model ensembles are still suggesting a high potential for at least widespread daily record highs in some places, I still think monthly records could fall if this drags into Oct. (4/4) pic.twitter.com/lnfLeryjjD
— Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) September 24, 2020
In order to help prevent wildfires in the region, CalFire suggests to mow your lawn before 10 am, don’t drive your car on dry grass and don’t start any illegal campfires in the outdoors.
Stay safe, NorCal.