Crunch Time for California Drought

The most dangerous month of the year for wild fires is underway in California and starting off with a significant heat wave. Last week’s rainfall had little impact on the overall drought conditions but was a welcome respite nevertheless and hopefully a harbinger of some drought relief as the rainy season approaches. A significant heat wave has now engulfed the state and raised the specter of more wild fires to come. Temperatures on Thursday, October 2nd, broke records in southwestern California where Santee, Ventura, and Fullerton all hit 102°F (38.9°C), the warmest places in the nation. Santa Maria, on the normally cool coastline hit 100°F (37.8°C) breaking its previous daily record of 96°F (35.6°C) set in 1945. Long Beach (in the Los Angeles area) had a record 98°F (36.7°C) beating out the former record for the date of 96°F (35.6°C) also set in 1945. The San Francisco Bay Area was also hot, but not in record territory. Salinas was the warm spot reaching 97°F (36.1°C) and San Francisco (airport location) reached 91°F (32.8°C), its 2nd hottest day of the year so far (following a 92°F/33.3°C reading on May 13th). Although impressive, October often registers the hottest temperatures of the year for coastal locations in the state. Monterey’s hottest temperature on record occurred on October 5, 1987 when a scorching 104°F (40°C) was observed and it was 102°F (38.9°C) in Downtown San Francisco, its October monthly heat record. Eureka’s all-time heat record happened even later in the month, on October 26, 1993 with an 87°F (30.6°C) reading. San Francisco has seen several occasions of 100°F+ temperatures during October. 
SATURDAY UPDATE: On Friday, October 3rd, record temperatures continued. San Francisco Airport reached 95°F and San Francisco Downtown 92°F, both figures represent the warmest temperatures observed so far this year. Pacifica, right on the coast, reached 96°F. A little further south, Gilroy peaked at 105°F, the hottest place in the nation on Friday. Monterey measured a daily record high of 96°F. Santa Cruz was 99°F. SUNDAY UPDATE: San Francisco Airport reached 91°F on Saturday, October 4th. This was the 3rd consecutive day with temperatures above 90°F. The last time this occurred was over six years ago on June 19-21, 2008. If the temperature hits 90°F on Sunday it would be the first time with four consecutive 90°+ days in 10 years, the last time being September 4-7, 2004. Oakland registered a new daily record high of 92°F.

Taken from http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/comment.html?entrynum=309#commenttop