Bring on the Sunshine

It's finally time for Alameda residents to dry off and soak up some sun rays.

After weeks of stormy weather, the forecast for the coming days calls for sunshine and high temperatures that could break records throughout the Bay Area, according to a National Weather Service forecaster.

"We're expecting to see the warm temperatures continue Thursday and possibly Friday as well before cooling down for the weekend," meteorologist Austin Cross said.

Cross said a strong high-pressure system in the Great Basin region has created a situation in which winds are flowing through the Bay Area from the mountains toward the ocean, rather than the other way around.

"As the air descends it warms up, and that's when we get our warmest temperatures in the Bay Area," Cross said.

The clear skies, coupled with longer days since clocks were moved forward, have put smiles on the faces of many sun-starved Bay Area residents.