After several days of oppressive heat, temperatures will slowly return closer to normal Friday, as onshore flow begins offering relief from recent sweaty conditions.
Temperatures began dipping on Thursday, with the mercury falling by a few degrees across the area, although the heat remained about 7 to 15 degrees above normal, according to the National Weather Service. But on Friday, morning low clouds and fog will return to the coast, helping to cool things down.
“More significant cooling, roughly 5-10 degrees, (is) expected Friday as a trough develops over the Pacific Northwest, further increasing onshore flow,” according to the NWS. “Highs (are) expected to be within a few degrees of normal in most areas except the far interior areas where highs near 100 are still expected for another day — and likely some increase in morning low clouds and fog for coastal areas.”
Forecasters said more cooling is expected over the weekend, when temperatures are “expected to be near or even slightly below normal.”
The cooler conditions, however, may be short-lived. According to the NWS, another increase in high pressure is possible by the middle of next week, leading to another warming trend.
“There is roughly a 50-70% chance of highs in the lower 100s in the warmer valleys by Wednesday and around a 20% chance of 105,” forecasters said. “Downtown has around a 30-40% chance of reaching 90 by next Wednesday or Thursday while the deserts have a 60%-80% chance of at least lower 100s.”