Hurricane Irene Update & Bay Area Thunder Chances

We start off the forecast with another look at Irene’s path up the East Coast for the weekend. Wind damage and storm surge/coastal flooding still look to be big concerns even as the storm eventually weakens away from hurricane strength by late Sunday. Around the Bay Area you might say we have our own ‘tropical’ connection in the form of mid-level moisture moving in from the south that *may* warrant a slight risk for isolated showers/thunder for areas south of Santa Cruz and east of San Jose this weekend. By Sunday, upper level winds should be pushing this moisture more over the Sierra and farther east. Speaking of the Sierra, thundershowers are likely especially for areas Lake Tahoe southward this weekend so use caution. Bay Area temperatures will likely climb a few more degrees approaching Sunday – with mid and even upper 90s possible in the hottest inland valleys by Sunday, before cooling early next week as the sea breeze and marine layer deepen again. – Rob Mayeda