textproduct: San Francisco Bay Area

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 243 AM PDT Tue Mar 10 2026

- Near to slightly above normal temperatures today

- Extended period of above normal temperatures sets in on Wednesday

- Widespread Minor HeatRisk tomorrow through Saturday, with increasing areas of Moderate HeatRisk Sunday into the beginning of next week

SHORT TERM

Issued at 243 AM PDT Tue Mar 10 2026 (Today and tonight)

Today will be the coolest day through the extended forecast. The EPAC ridge that will dominate our pattern for the next week and beyond will continue to build today. However, a broad trough axis extending from the Great Basin into NorCal interacting with the building ridge will produce gradient forcing for the gusty northwest winds along the coast, especially for the North Bay and Bay Area coastlines, along with a tight thermal H85 gradient across NorCal. Temperatures along the coast will be slightly below normal with gusty northwest winds this afternoon. High temperatures inland will run about 5 degrees above normal for most locations with occasionally breezy northwest winds. While surface winds ease this evening, H85 flow will begin to increase and become offshore once again. With light and variable surface winds tonight into Wednesday morning, along with the developing offshore boundary level flow producing mostly clear skies, more efficient radiational cooling will result in lows in the 40s and even upper 30s for higher elevations.

LONG TERM

Issued at 243 AM PDT Tue Mar 10 2026 (Wednesday through Monday)

By Wednesday afternoon, the warming trend through the remainder of the extended forecast will be in full swing. Highs will be in the 70s for a majority of our area, some 60s along the coast and low 80s in the southern Salinas Valley. We'll see more widespread 80s for the remainder of the work week into the weekend with 90s in the southern Salinas Valley by Sunday, expanding in area by the beginning of next week. We'll see widespread Minor HeatRisk set in Wednesday and persist through Saturday with increasing areas of Moderate HeatRisk Sunday and Monday. The warm temperatures will persist through much of next week. Deterministic guidance is beginning to pick up on some offshore troughing as the impressive dome of high pressure meanders east well beyond the current forecast range.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 911 PM PDT Mon Mar 9 2026

There is an 80% chance that Bay Area terminals will remain VFR through the TAF period with persistent surface winds and high clouds working against fog or stratus development. As the atmosphere becomes better mixed in the afternoon, strong NW winds will return to the surface.

Vicinity of SFO...Strong WNW winds continue to funnel through the San Bruno Gap even at this late hour. These winds will gradually diminish through the night and early morning before returning Tuesday afternoon. The TAF remains VFR, but there is a 20% chance of MVFR ceilings around sunrise.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Unlike the Bay Area terminals, MVFR ceilings have already arrived at both SNS and MRY and will continue through the majority of Tuesday morning as the Monterey Bay eddy pumps cool humid air to the terminals. Unlike last night, stronger surface winds and a deeper marine layer should keep the lower atmosphere mixed enough to avoid LIFR impacts.

MARINE

(Today through Sunday) Issued at 243 AM PDT Tue Mar 10 2026

Hazardous conditions from strong to near gale force northerly breezes are expected through tonight. Frequent gale force gusts are expected across the outer waters and along the coastal jet region of Point Reyes. As a result, very rough seas will build in the outer waters. Conditions will slightly improve beginning Wednesday, but rough seas and fresh to strong northerly breezes will keep hazardous conditions around through the week.

MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA...None. PZ...Gale Warning until 9 PM PDT this evening for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.

Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Wednesday for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm-Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

Gale Warning until 3 AM PDT Wednesday for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.