Sunny Skies, Warm Weather This Week

Los Gatos residents can prepare for sunshine over the next several days, as this week is expected to be one of the region's warmest of the year, according to the National Weather Service.

The higher temperatures will be noticeable throughout the Bay Area— even in San Francisco, which is known for its chilly summers, said Charles Bell, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

September is the warmest month on average for San Francisco, said Jan Null, a meteorologist with Golden Gate Weather Services.

Many parts of the Bay Area reach their highest daily temperatures in July, he said.

While the Bay Area will be warm, residents don't need to worry about extreme heat, Bell said. "We're not anticipating hot weather where we're experiencing health advisories because people without air conditioning might be at risk," Bell said. "This should be one of the nicest weeks of the whole year for the whole Bay Area."

The warm weather is a welcome change for some cities, including Monterey, which experienced its coldest summer on record, he said.

"It's great weather for people to go outdoors—camping, picnicking or hiking," Bell said.

But he advised Bay Area residents to make their outdoor plans before the weekend, as the warm weather is only expected to continue through Friday.

A typhoon in the Pacific Ocean will be bringing in moisture, and there is a possibility of rain on Sunday, he said.

Meanwhile, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued a Spare the Air Smog Alert for today, Monday, Sept. 19, and has issued another one for tomorrow, Tuesday, Sep. 20.  This marks the first time this summer season that back to back Air Alerts have been called, according to the agency.

Bay Area residents are encouraged to consider commute alternatives for the second day of the work week.

There will be no free transit Tuesday and there is no wood burning ban in place. The Air District encourages residents to drive less and reduce their energy use every day so pollution levels are lower, preventing health alerts when temperatures are high.

"Tomorrow, we are again forecasting unhealthy concentrations of smog,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District.  “With temperatures continuing to run high, it’s more important than ever that residents drive less, take public transportation, reduce energy use and do their part to minimize pollution."

Motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, industrial emissions and household chemicals contain volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides that combine with oxygen in the presence of heat and sunlight to form ground-level ozone. Breathing ozone can cause throat irritation, congestion and chest pain. It can trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema.

Long-term exposure to ozone can reduce lung function. High levels of ozone pollution are particularly harmful for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions. Vigorous outdoor exercise should be undertaken only in the early morning hours when ozone concentrations are lower. The Air District issues Spare the Air Alerts whenever air quality is forecast to reach unhealthy concentrations.

A list of simple things the public can do to make clean air choices every day:

• Bike to work or around town
• Take public transit
• Work at home or telecommute
• Carpool and link your errands to reduce driving
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers
• Reduce household energy use
• Don’t use lighter fluid on the barbecue
• Avoid using aerosol spray cleaners, paints and hairspray

   

—By Bay City News Service