, Issued at 1145 AM PST Thu Nov 12 2026 (This afternoon through Friday)
The Bay Area and north Central Coast remains placed between high pressure extending into the Northern Rockies and a through about 450 miles to the west-northwest. Meanwhile, a cut-off low pressure is forecast to develop in the next 12 hours and head towards southern California and Baja California; moving inland by Friday morning/afternoon. That said, high clouds from the approaching weather system will be positioned over the region by this afternoon. This, along with cooling temperatures aloft, will result in a slight cool down compared to previous days.
Tonight and into early Friday morning, expect light to moderate rain in the coastal ranges and favored upslope regions along the coast ahead of the frontal boundary. Southerly winds are forecast to increase ahead of the cold front overnight with gusts of 25 to 35 mph. Rain will increase in coverage and intensity between 8 AM - 1 PM Friday across the North Bay, between 10 AM - 3 PM across the Bay Area and South Bay, and 12 PM - 5 PM across the north Central Coast. With the cold air mass advecting in from the north, surface CAPE/most unstable CAPE values of up to 100-300 J/kg will result in around a 15% potential for thunderstorms. Any heavier rain shower and/or thunderstorm will be capable of producing brief heavy downpours, strong and erratic winds, and lightning. Wind gusts have the potential to reach or exceed 45 mph just ahead of the cold frontal passage, but are forecast to be short lived as winds becoming westerly and/or northwesterly in wake of the frontal passage while also easing. These stronger winds can cause trees or branches to fall and may result in isolated power outages.
Rain totals from this system (Friday through Saturday afternoon) are expected to be around 0.5-1.25" for the North Bay (greatest in the coastal ranges), 0.3-0.8" for the San Francisco Bay Area and Monterey Bay region, up to 0.75-1.25" for the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Santa Lucia Range, and 0.1-0.5" for the inland portions of Monterey and San Benito Counties. Post frontal rain showers are forecast to persist into Friday evening and early Saturday morning.
Please check the BEACHES section of the AFD for safety tips and more information on the Beach Hazards Statement/High Surf Warning and Coastal Flood Advisory.
..issued at 1145 AM PST Thu Nov 12 2026 (Friday night through next Wednesday)
The storm door remains open through the 7 day forecast period! We are expecting another system to move through the region Sunday into Monday and a third system to arrive in the middle of the upcoming week. These systems are not forecast to stall over any one given area, thus reducing the potential for widespread flooding concerns. It is a bit to far out in time to talk about thunderstorm potential and rainfall amounts, yet current forecast do not seem much greater than the Friday system (1st system to impact the region). Be sure to stay informed on the latest forecast information as we the storm door remains open.
(18z TAFS) Issued at 1019 AM PST Thu Nov 12 2026
Today is a transition day as a cold front gradually approaches. We will see high clouds roll in through the day, then lower this evening into tonight as southerly winds gradually strengthen. Rain chances (up to 20%) kick in after midnight, then increase and solidify midmorning with accompanying winds as the front moves in.
Vicinity of SFO, VFR through the rest of today. Southerly winds gradually increase through the forecast period, potentially reaching 20-25kt ahead of the front. High confidence in occurrence, but medium confidence in exact timing of a ceiling forming tonight and then lowering into MVFR territory around midnight as the low pressure system nears. Up to 20% chance for rain at SFO as early as 11z, but confidence in rain is too low to add in RA or VCSH until 17z.
SFO Bridge Approach, The approach from SJC to SFO is currently clear and should stay that way during the day today. A high ceiling should form late tonight and is expected with moderate confidence to lower below 5000ft around midnight.
Monterey Bay Terminals, VFR conditions are expected to prevail through the forecast period as a developing cold front begins to push through our area to the north, eventually reaching the Monterey Bay terminal just outside the end of the forecast period.
(today through Tuesday) Issued at 1019 AM PST Thu Nov 12 2026
Fresh to strong southerly winds will increase to near gale force overnight into Friday morning as a cold front pushes through our area. After the front passes winds will shift to westerly and decrease to a moderate breeze by Friday afternoon. Meanwhile WNW swell from a distant hurricane force low will build to very high with significant wave heights up to 25 feet by Saturday morning. Wave heights decrease slightly Sunday before another round of high seas moves into the coastal waters on Monday. Small crafts will sustain heavy damage and may not survive in these extreme sea states.
Issued at 1145 AM PST Thu Nov 12 2026
Beach Hazards Statement/High Surf Warning:
A Beach Hazards Statement is in effect through 6 PM Friday, at which point it gets replaced with a High Surf Warning through 4 AM Sunday. A series of hurricane force low pressure systems will impact the NE Pacific through early next week. These storms will produce very high NW swell that will impact the coast with very hazardous conditions. Initially the forerunners will bring strong rip currents and sneaker waves through Friday, while the breaking wave amplitude builds to 15- 20 feet. As the peak of the swell arrives on Saturday, breaking waves will reach up to 35 feet. Occasional sets of 40-50 ft are likely at favored breakpoints. These waves bring tremendous power that will overpower anyone in the water and cause coastal erosion. The risk of drowning is very high this weekend. Do not go in the water, avoid climbing on the rocks or leaning over seawalls, and never turn your back on the ocean. Wave amplitude will abate somewhat on Sunday before a new round of very high swell arrives Monday.
Coastal Flood Advisory (Thursday through Friday):
A combination of high astronomical tides and thermal expansion from warmer than normal water will result in tidal flooding concerns across Bayshore locations in the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Monterey Bays. At the San Francisco tide gauge, high tide is expected to be 1.3 ft above normal (7.1 ft MLLW) at 12:10 PM Thursday 11/12, 1.5 ft above normal (7.3 ft MLLW) at 12:49 PM Friday 11/13. These predictions include up to 1.8 ft of surge that will enhance the astronomical tide and flooding threat. High tide varies up to 90 minutes earlier or later along the Pacific Coast and through the San Francisco Bay, respectively. In addition, long- period swell will create hazardous conditions along the Pacific coast beaches with an increased risk of sneaker waves and rip currents.
Coastal Flood Advisory (Saturday):
The swell on Saturday brings a different variety of coastal flooding as very large breaking waves pile up along the Pacific coast. Research shows wave run-up increases the mean water level by 10-20% of the breaking wave height across exposed beaches. This higher water elevation sets the stage for large waves to crash over sea walls and run up beaches onto adjacent infrastructure, particularly during high tide.
Ca, Beach Hazards Statement through Friday afternoon for CAZ006-505- 509-529-530.
Coastal Flood Advisory until 4 PM PST Friday for CAZ006-506-508- 530.
Coastal Flood Advisory from midnight Friday night to 6 PM PST Saturday for CAZ006-505-509-529-530.
High Surf Warning from 6 PM Friday to 4 AM PST Sunday for CAZ006- 505-509-529-530.
PZ, Small Craft Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 9 AM PST Friday for SF Bay N of Bay Bridge.
Gale Warning from 9 AM to 3 PM PST Friday for Mry Bay-Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm-Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm- SF Bay N of Bay Bridge.
Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PST Friday for Mry Bay-Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm-Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.
Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PST Friday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.
Gale Warning from 3 AM to 9 AM PST Friday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.
Small Craft Advisory from 3 AM to 9 AM PST Friday for Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.
