Sticky, smoky week for North Coast

Near-100-degree temperatures are forecast for Santa Rosa this week and even higher elsewhere in the region because of a high-pressure ridge growing above the state that acts "like a big bubble of warm air," according to the National Weather Service.

But weather service meteorologist Andrew Joros in Monterey said temperatures are not likely to be as extreme as they were three weeks ago.

"The winds were moving toward the ocean instead of from the ocean," he said.

TODAY'S FORECAST

Santa Rosa: 96 degrees. Record is 103 in 1905. Ukiah: Expected to hit 106

WEDNESDAY

Santa Rosa: 99 degrees. Record is 100 in 2002. Ukiah: 113 degrees. Windsor: 102 Sonoma: 100

THURSDAY

Santa Rosa: 90 degrees. Record is 103 in 1913, 1959 and 1961. Ukiah: 105 degrees. Petaluma: 87 Bodega Bay: 69

FRIDAY AND WEEKEND

Santa Rosa: 90 and then high to mid 80's. Record is 112 in 1913. Ukiah: 103 degrees. Bodega Bay: 66 on Saturday.

SMOKY SKIES AGAIN

The National Weather Service issued an air quality warning for Mendocino County and the greater North Coast region because of heavy smoke from the numerous wildfires. Smoke from the Mendocino fires drifted into Sonoma County.

The weather service is warning of high fire danger this week because of the heat and low humidity. National Guard troops arrived in Mendocino County to join the fire battle, and crews struggled in Big Sur and Santa Barbara County to try to gain the upper hand on fires there.