The fire danger remains high as high heat continues on Thursday

CENTRAL COAST. KEY POINTS: á DANGEROUS HEAT CONTINUES TO IMPACT ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA á A MIX OF HEAT ADVISORS AND OVERHEAT WARNINGS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT UNTIL THURSDAY – LIKELY TO REQUIRE ADJUSTMENTS THROUGH THE WEEKEND á LIMITED COOLING OVER NIGHT IN THE HILLS – UPPER 70S TO ALMOST 90A RED FLAG WARNING AND NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS (SEE FIRE WEATHER SECTION BELOW). ANOTHER DAY WITH WALL TO WALL SUNSHINE DUE TO STRONG HIGH PRESSURE AND A VERY DRY AIR MASS. Plenty of sunshine and a very warm air mass will ensure another day with impressive temperatures throughout the region. Not surprisingly, the hottest places right now are away from the coast, with temperatures approaching 110 degrees in some places. IN OTHER WORDS: IT IS DANGEROUS AND PEOPLE IN THESE AREAS ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS (WITHOUT ADEQUATE SHELTER/HYDRATION). Remember that heat exposure is cumulative and this is not the first day of heat. Other than that, it's another day to showcase our microclimates. Let's take a look at the Santa Cruz coast and the seaside beach. YESTERDAY SANTA CRUZ WAS COOLER DUE TO CLOUDS NEAR SOUTH AND OCEAN BEACH WAS MUCH WARMER DUE TO OFFSHORE CURRENTS. TODAY YOU ARE COMPLETELY DANGED: In the Santa Cruz area it is 10 to 20 degrees warmer 24 hours a day and on the sea beach it is 20 degrees colder. It depends on the wind direction and the influence of the sea air. TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY: The large-scale pattern shifts ever so slightly over California as the center of the upper ridge shifts southeast. The air mass remains incredibly mild again this evening. I'm not expecting a temperature in the 90s like last night, but still in the mid 70s and 80s. It will be cooler at lower elevations, but still mild for this time of year. If you compare the 24 hour trends from Wednesday to Thursday you will notice an overall decline, but don't be fooled. HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL STILL RISE INTO THE 90S AND 100S ON THURSDAY AWAY FROM THE COAST/HIGHER TERRAIN. ONLY MINOR WASTE NEAR COASTAL TEMPERATURE