textproduct: San Francisco Bay Area

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1234 PM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026

- Breezy onshore winds return late this week and into the weekend

- Temperatures near seasonal averages throughout early next week

SHORT TERM

Issued at 1245 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 (Today and tonight)

Patchy coastal low clouds are trying to redevelop early this morning. Higher dewpoint air lingers, however areal low cloud coverage will depend on the total amount of nocturnal radiative cooling (improved since it's drier aloft) and near surface cool air advection through morning. Putting the brakes on low cloud development so far is the recent uptick in sea surface temperatures with the loss of cold water upwelling due to the recent northward moving remnant low center passing by to our west. The buoys show sea surface temps in the upper 50s to lower 60s, about 3F to 8F above July normals. However, northwest winds (and upwelling) will resume in our coastal waters today and tonight.

High pressure aloft will continue to bring stable weather. Daytime highs today will be in the 60s/70s coastside to the 70s/80 bayside and 80s/90s inland including 90s/100 over the southern interior. Lows in the 50s to lower 60s tonight.

LONG TERM

Issued at 1245 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 (Friday through Wednesday)

A gradual turn toward less humid conditions with a slight warming trend inland develops through the weekend into next week. Onshore breezes will prevail with night and morning coastal low clouds and fog, possibly a few patches of light drizzle.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 952 PM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026

Currently VFR across all terminals with plenty of uncertainty in the extent and timing of marine stratus overnight into Thursday. Dry air mixing closer to the surface has resulted in a patchy return so far after sunset. Satellite indicates some stratus lingering in vicinity of all the terminals except KAPC. Valleys are beginning to fill-in so will maintain the later onset after midnight for 06Z issuance for most terminals.

Vicinity of SFO...00z balloon indicated a marine layer of approx 1600-1800ft, but not as well organized as we usually see this time of year. Dry air mixed out a short period of MVFR ceilings soon after sunset at KSFO. Will keep the onset of MVFR ceilings until late in the overnight period with late morning clearing to VFR. More widespread low-level intrusion of dry air late in the forecast period leaves more uncertainty in the veracity of stratus return Thursday evening.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar as SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Stratus developing in vicinity of both terminals should lead to low-end MVFR ceilings imminently, with a drop into IFR after midnight and early afternoon clearing to VFR. Given the dry air mentioned above overall confidence in the forecast is low.

MARINE

(Tonight through next Tuesday) Issued at 952 PM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026

Northwest winds will continue to gradually increase for the remainder of the work week, through the weekend and into the beginning of next week. Significant wave heights will remain moderate this week before long period southerly swell from Hurricane Fausto reaches the coastal waters this weekend.

MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA...None. PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM Thursday to 9 PM PDT Friday for Mry Bay.

Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM Thursday to 3 PM PDT Saturday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.

Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM Thursday to 3 PM PDT Saturday for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm.

Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Saturday for Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.

Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM Thursday to 3 AM PDT Friday for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM.