After a cool and mild weekend, changes are coming this week.
Not only are temperatures warming, but winds are shifting and there is a chance for some monsoon activity, all within the next seven days.
The first part of the week, warm and dry conditions will be the big focus. This weekend, onshore flow dominated, meaning winds pushed from the coast toward the east. That typically brings cooler and more moist air. Monday, those winds will shift to blow from the east toward the west, becoming more of a Santa Ana wind event. While wind speeds will stay moderate, the directional shift means warmer, dryer air will be ushered into the county.
That warm and dry air is paired with increasing temperatures, causing an increased risk for fire this week. Highs will see gradual warming across the county into Wednesday. This will bring lower 80s along the coast, lower 90s for inland valleys, mid 80s for mountains, and lower 100s for deserts. Highs peak Wednesday for most of the county, which is coincidentally the first day of fall.
The first few days of fall will then bring a cooling trend. Most areas will see a nice cooling back to what we felt this past weekend. Also, monsoon moisture looks to return. Thunderstorm chances remain slight at this time, but there are chances for some pop-up storms in the mountains from Thursday through about Saturday.
Monday's Highs:
Coast: 71-81°
Inland: 80-88°
Mountains: 78-89°
Deserts: 93-102°
Follow ABC 10News Meteorologist Leah Pezzetti on Facebook at Leah Pezzetti 10News, or Twitter and Instagram @LeahPezzetti.
