San Francisco will be slightly cooler than expected today, but it will still be a scorcher in other parts of the Bay Area, weather officials said this morning.
An excessive heat watch has been discontinued for San Francisco but remains in effect in inland areas, National Weather Service forecaster Bob Benjamin said.
“Currently, we’re forecasting a high of 82 in the city,” Benjamin said. “Initially, we were expecting highs in the upper 80 to mid-90s.”
Sea breezes in the costal regions brought about unanticipated cooling, and the warnings were retracted early this morning, Benjamin said.
San Franciscans are still seeking relief from the warm temperatures, according to an employee at Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlor on the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets.
“There has been about a 20 percent increase in the past couple days,” store employee B.G. Berry said.
It will be hot in cities away from the coast, with temperatures upward of 90 degrees expected in some areas.
When temperatures spike, some cities open “cooling centers,” but a Santa Clara County official said this morning there are no plans to open any in that county today.
“No cooling rooms are set up at this time,” said Yvonne Galletta, executive assistant to the Santa Clara city manager. “But our regular city facilities will be open to escape from the heat.”
A red flag warning that was issued for the East Bay hills and Mount Diablo expired early this morning.
“We are still being fairly cautious,” Cal Fire spokesman Chris Morgan said. “The red flag alerts could be reinstated if the winds crop back up and, if it gets above a certain temperature, we will take appropriate actions.”
As the week wraps up, temperatures will drop, according to the National Weather Service.
“All temperatures are supposed to diminish over the weekend and then rebound in the middle of next week,” Benjamin said.
Despite the lower thermometer readings, residents are still advised to take precautions.
“Certainly don’t leave pets in cars, especially if you are traveling away from the immediate coast,” Benjamin said. “Any outdoor activity should be limited and make sure to have plenty of water on hand.”
Kristen Peters, Bay City News
