Hot Weather May Turn To Thunderstorms By Tuesday As Tropical Storm Blanca Approaches
KPIX 5 Morning Weather Anchor Roberta Gonzales answers the questions you never get to ask on-air.
Q: Welcome back from Hawaii Roberta! Question for you, did I hear you say thunderstorms are in the Tuesday Forecast? - Jason Waters, Danville
A: Hi Jason! YES! We have a couple of interesting weather days!
First, let's begin with today! A heat advisory is in effect for our inland areas as temperatures soar into the triple digits for the first time this year. The hottest locations will be in the East Bay. Concord, Clayton, Pleasanton and Livermore will all hit near 103 degrees. Brentwood, Tracy, Mountain House, Discovery Bay could even be hotter. With this kind of heat, the potential for fire danger increases.
Now about those thunderstorms! As of today, there is a Tropical Storm named Blanca and it is racing across the Mexican Coast and lifting towards California. By Tuesday afternoon, the Tropical Storm will be downsizing and the "remnants" of this storm will produce showers and thunderstorms over portions of our coastal waters as well as land. The computer models are leaning towards the "highest probability of thunderstorms" in Monterey and San Benito Counties. However, there is a chance thunderstorms containing lightning pop in the Bay Area.
A little interesting history, I was working here at KPIX in September of 1999, when instability and moisture associated with the remnants of Hurricane Greg came up the coast and sparked lightning. The devastating "Kirk Complex Fire" erupted in the Big Sur area. It's too early to say if we will see similar weather Tuesday, but lighting will be of concern over the remote hills of Monterey and San Benito counties, and perhaps the Bay Area!
I will be keeping a watchful eye on any fire weather advisories for Tuesday and in turn, I will keep all of you posted too!
I would love to hear from you! Please send weather questions, observations and photos to me, Gonzales@kpix.cbs.com and I look forward to hearing from you!