, Issued at 120 PM PDT Sat Jul 18 2026 (This evening through Sunday night)
Stratus retreated back to the immediate coastline by late this morning. A few spots from Pacifica south to Monterey may only see partial clearing through mid-afternoon. A slightly stronger marine layer (~1500-2000ft) across the North Bay valleys has temperatures running 5-10 degrees cooler than this time yesterday, so have adjusted todays highs there about 3-5 degrees cooler from the NBM. The onset of a relatively normal diurnal intrusion of the marine layer this evening will occur with a similarly normal exit Sunday morning. Patchy coastal and valley fog is most likely across the North Bay with little to no impacts expected. A weak fetch of offshore flow/thermal belting at 925MB will keep overnight lows at higher elevations over the East Bay Hills and Santa Lucias well above normal with poor overnight RH recovery. Light winds will help mitigate fire weather concerns somewhat, but any ignition could spread quickly on steep slopes.
..issued at 120 PM PDT Sat Jul 18 2026 (Monday through next Friday)
Temperatures will be near or below normal through the extended forecast with Tuesday being the warmest day of the week despite building high pressure. The marine layer influence, especially for the Bay Area and North Bay, will help to keep temperatures close to or below normal. Not much change to the expected push of monsoonal/tropical moisture from the south as Elida tracks north after becoming extratropical. PWATS near 2.0" and 150%-200% of normal are expected to peak Tuesday afternoon. Attm slight H50 height rises and anemic mid-level lapse rates less than 7C/km indicate a low probability of elevated convection (and dry lightning potential) developing. However, mid-level cloud cover spreading east from the remnants of Elida over the EPAC will further help to keep temperatures in check for the first half of the week, including Tuesday.
(06z TAFS) Issued at 952 PM PDT Sat Jul 18 2026
Stratus is pushing in to the Bay Area and Central Coast with most sites reporting IFR ceilings. Confidence is increasing that LIFR CIGs will develop, at least, along the coast with some potential across interior sites. Confidence remains low that fog will develop but cannot rule out patchy fog within the North Bay valleys and along the coast. Conditions improve by mid to late morning with stratus returning early tomorrow evening. Diurnally breezy onshore winds continue.
Vicinity of SFO, Stratus is working its way into SFO with the site currently bouncing between IFR and VFR conditions. IFR conditions are expected to prevail for much of tonight with clearing by late morning. Stratus looks to return tomorrow evening but confidence is low to moderate on the current timing of stratus return. Diurnally breezy onshore winds continue.
SFO Bridge Approach, Similar to last night, stratus may take longer to fill in over the SF Bay/bridge approach than over the SFO terminal. Otherwise, similar to SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals, IFR-LIFR overnight with some potential for fog during the early morning hours. CIGs have continued to lower at MRY which is increasing confidence that LIFR CIGs will be observed overnight. Model guidance supports widespread LIFR CIGs and the potential for reductions in visibility tonight. LIFR CIGs may make the chances for reduced visibility tonight higher than it was the previous night. Moderate confidence that stratus will clear by the
(tonight through next Friday) Issued at 952 PM PDT Sat Jul 18 2026
Winds continue to decrease overnight with a moderate northwesterly breeze to prevail into next week. Moderate seas prevail through the forecast. Moderate southerly swell will increase from tropical cyclone activity across the eastern Pacific through next week.
Ca, None. PZ, Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Sunday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.
