textproduct: San Francisco Bay Area

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1051 AM PDT Tue Mar 24 2026

- Above normal temperatures will persist into the weekend

- Dry weather continues this week; increasing potential for light rain to return beginning of April

- Moderate offshore winds across the North Bay Interior Mountains Thursday into Friday

SHORT TERM

Issued at 1051 AM PDT Tue Mar 24 2026 (This afternoon through Wednesday)

Adjusted temperatures up slightly today given a number of daily high temperatures were set yesterday, with some more expected today. H50 height field will continue to gradually weaken the remainder of today and Wednesday. The net result of the lower heights and slight increase in cloud cover Wednesday will be around a 5 degree drop in daytime highs from todays values. The progressive trough working to flatten heights on the backside of the persistent ridge will also result in breezy to gusty winds at times Wednesday afternoon, especially near the coast and elevated interior locations. Increased coverage of marine stratus along the coast is also likely, but will struggle to penetrate too far inland with the upper ridging still holding it back mostly to the coastline.

LONG TERM

Issued at 1051 AM PDT Tue Mar 24 2026 (Wednesday night through next Monday)

Not much change in the long term forecast through the weekend. Pleasant weather while temperatures mostly run 10-20 degrees above normal with generally light winds. The signal for a more significant pattern change appears to be trending upwards with ensembles and deterministic guidance coming more in line with one another. Confidence is highest for at least temperatures to be moderated closer to normal by the beginning of next week. The deeper offshore troughing beginning Monday that would be more favorable for potential rainfall also seems to be more likely than at this time yesterday. This is a trend we'll be monitoring closely. Attm the North Bay and the coastal ranges are in the best position to get periods of wetting rain later Monday into Tuesday, which does speak to the shallow nature of the moisture source in the lower boundary layer.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1027 AM PDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Generally VFR conditions are forecast to persist through the forecast period, with low-to-moderate probability of the coastline seeing sub-MVFR conditions early late in the night and into early Wednesday morning. Onshore wind will return late this morning and continue through the evening before diminishing.

Vicinity of SFO...VFR. Light and variable wind becoming westerly 10 to 20 knots in the afternoon and evening. There is a low probability for MVFR/LIFR ceilings overnight, yet the strength of the high pressure aloft should limit these conditions. Winds diminish late evening and into early Wednesday morning before increasing once again by Wednesday afternoon.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...VFR. Westerly winds 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Light southeast winds developing tonight and Wednesday morning. Low probability of sub-MVFR conditions returning late in the night along the coast, yet conditions should improve toward the end of the forecast period.

MARINE

(Today through Sunday) Issued at 1027 AM PDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Moderate northwesterly breezes and moderate seas will continue through this evening. Gale force northerly winds will develop late Wednesday into Thursday across the outer waters with near gale force gusts extending into portions of the inner waters. Expect rough to very rough seas to develop by late Wednesday through Thursday, then begin to ease on Friday.

MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA...None. PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday for Mry Bay.

Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM Wednesday to 3 PM PDT Thursday for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm-Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10- 60 NM-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 9 PM PDT this evening for Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.

Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.

Gale Warning from 9 PM Wednesday to 3 PM PDT Thursday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.