textproduct: San Francisco Bay Area

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1215 AM PDT Wed Jun 24 2026

- Hazardous beach conditions along the Pacific Coast through Wednesday

- Warming peaks Wednesday with Minor HeatRisk

- An upper trough settles over the West Coast by late week, bringing cooler temperatures and breezy to gusty winds

SHORT TERM

Updated at 1215 AM PDT Wed Jun 24 2026 (Today through Thursday)

The marine layer remains roughly 1000 to 1500 ft with stratus building back inland early this morning, although slightly less inland push than yesterday morning.

The marine layer will continue to slowly compress through the short term with a slow reduction in stratus, along with warmer and dry conditions continuing. The more compressed marine layer will allow patchy fog to develop along the coast and in wind-sheltered valleys this morning and again tonight/Thursday morning.

Subtle ridging will allow for temperatures to peak this afternoon. Highs will climb into the 80s for inland areas, while far interior areas will reach the 90s. Continued cooler along with coast with highs in the upper 50s to lower 60s, with 70s for near-coast areas. An upper-level trough will begin to build over the western US by Thursday as a large upper-level low drop south along the Canadian coastline. Temperatures will still be similar to Wednesday, with a few spots seeing their afternoon highs slightly lower than Wednesday, mainly south of the Bay Area.

The other primary concern remains the long-period southerly swell impacting the Pacific Coast beaches into Wednesday afternoon. There is a high risk for sneaker waves and strong rip currents...never turn your back to the ocean. Additional information can be found in the Beach Hazard Statement and the Beaches discussion section below.

LONG TERM

Updated at 1215 AM PDT Wed Jun 24 2026 (Thursday night through next Tuesday)

The cooling trend will become more pronounced Friday into Saturday as a large upper-level low pushes into the PacNW and upper-level troughing deepens over the region, leading to a resurgence of the marine layer and much cooler temperatures. Temps will be roughly 4-8 degrees cooler Friday as compared to Thursday for inland spots with highs along and near the coast in the 60s and inland areas in the 70s to low 80s. Further cooling continues into Saturday as heights to fall with the approach of the low. By Saturday morning, the marine layer will be deep enough to support patchy drizzle, primarily for the coastal areas. A slight warming trend is still favored for Sunday into early next week, but overall confidence is still low as some long-range models keep a prevailing troughing pattern lingering over the West that may limit warming into early next week, but temperatures should improve a bit as compared to the Friday/Saturday cooldown.

Onshore winds will begin to increase on Thursday as the low approaches and gradient tightens, peaking Friday and Saturday with a frontal passage. Expects gusts of 25 to 35 mph. Gusts may exceed 40 mph at times, especially for wind-prone areas and mountain passes. Winds should subside Sunday into early next week with the gradient relaxes as the low departs.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 903 PM PDT Tue Jun 23 2026

It's VFR except for stratus /MVFR-IFR/ along the immediate coastline. Stratus /MVFR-IFR/ moves inland tonight and Wednesday morning. Stratus mixes out to the coastline with conditions improving to MVFR-VFR by late Wednesday morning and afternoon. Coastal stratus redevelops Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Vicinity of SFO...Stratus /MVFR-IFR/ prevails tonight and Wednesday morning with mix out to VFR 19z Wednesday. Stratus /MVFR-IFR/ returns Wednesday evening. West to northwest wind 5 to 12 knots tonight then increasing to near 15 knots beginning 19z Wednesday, then easing to 5 to 10 knots late Wednesday evening.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Vicinity of SJC and OAK...For SJC Airport VFR for the evening, then stratus /MVFR/ develops overnight then mixes out to VFR 17z Wednesday. Northwest wind 5 to 10 knots decreasing to light and variable wind early Wednesday morning then northwest near 15 knots Wednesday afternoon. For OAK Airport stratus /MVFR-IFR/ prevails tonight and Wednesday morning, mixing out to VFR 19z. Stratus /MVFR-IFR/ returns Wednesday evening. West wind 5 to 15 knots.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Stratus /MVFR-IFR/ moves inland tonight and Wednesday morning. Conditions improving to MVFR-VFR late Wednesday morning and afternoon. Stratus /MVFR-IFR/ returns Wednesday evening and night. Onshore winds 5 to 15 knots.

MARINE

(Tonight through next Monday) Issued at 830 PM PDT Tue Jun 23 2026

Gentle to moderate winds will persist through midday Wednesday with generally moderate seas. Fresh to strong breezes and rough seas are forecast to resume over the coastal waters late in the week. Hazardous conditions for small craft will develop Wednesday afternoon and continue through at least Thursday for the northern outer waters. Long period southwest swell will persist through the extended forecast.

BEACHES

Updated at 1215 AM PDT Wed Jun 24 2026

Long period southerly swell at around 16 to 18 seconds emanating from energetic storms in the Southern Hemisphere continue to affect the California coast, especially for south and southwest facing beaches. Hazardous beach conditions are advertised, specifically for moderate to steeply sloped beaches along the Pacific Coast of the North Bay, San Mateo, Santa Cruz counties. A Beach Hazards Statement for Pacific Coast beaches continues through Wednesday afternoon. Be sure to check beach conditions before you head out. Sneaker waves will run up the beach much farther than other waves, potentially catching beachgoers by surprise and resulting in people being swept into the water. Rip currents are strong enough to pull the strongest swimmers away from shore. Swim near a lifeguard if possible. Stay back from the beach, and away from jetties, piers, beachside rocks, and other infrastructure near the water. Never turn your back to the ocean!

The southerly swell is expected to subside tonight into the latter half of the work week before increasing again by the weekend.

MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA...Beach Hazards Statement through Wednesday afternoon for CAZ006- 505-509-529-530.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM Wednesday to 3 AM PDT Thursday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.