Discussion, UPDATED National Weather Service San Francisco CA 1040 AM PDT Sat Apr 4 2026
, New AVIATION, MARINE,
.KEY MESSAGES, Updated at 942 PM PDT Fri Apr 3 2026
- Winds ease into the weekend
- Warmer temperatures return Saturday and Sunday before a cooling trend begins next week
- Beneficial rain chances increase mid to late next week
, Issued at 942 PM PDT Fri Apr 3 2026 (Tonight through Sunday)
The breezier winds of the day and eased and the ridge pattern is building. Winds remain weak through much of the weekend because of the ridge, with the overall surface pattern being light but widespread offshore flow. Overnight lows will be around 5 to 10 degrees warmer than previous nights, with some high-level clouds helping to prevent extra radiational cooling.
Saturday's forecast has shifted slightly cooler in the most recent model updates. While highs will still be near records, the potential for record breaking temperatures have reduced. It seems like models are picking up on the higher-level cloud cover limiting the mid-day warming along with a reduction of the offshore winds.
Sunday sees clearing conditions, leading to that afternoon being the warmest of the forecast. Predicted highs look similar to previous forecast runs, with good chances for record high temperatures to fall.
..issued at 942 PM PDT Fri Apr 3 2026 (Sunday night through next Friday)
Luckily, this ridge pattern exits into the workweek preventing any threats of long lasting heat. The jet stream turns to more of a zonal flow by Monday, allowing for better onshore winds and a reforming marine layer. Coastal and Valley fog and status look to return Monday morning as a result of this pattern change. These factors will lead to notably cooler conditions, with a 5 to 10 degree drop in highs. However these temperatures will still be above average for this time of year.
Temperatures slowly cool into the mid and late week as the onshore flow increases ahead of building trough and low pressure. Models are in fair agreement that rain returns to the area in the mid-week as this low moves along the coast. The models differ in the late-week path of this low, with some showing rain chances lingering into the weekend itself as the low loses momentum. The official forecast still has the low and its showers exiting Thursday night, but this will be something that could change in following forecast updates. What stays the same is that this still looks to be good chances for widespread light rain. Most areas will struggle to get past a few hundredths of an inch, while the highest amounts in the area (the Santa Lucias) are predicted stay below a half an inch.
(18z TAFS) Issued at 1036 AM PDT Sat Apr 4 2026
Outside of some high clouds streaming in from the southwest, VFR is expected to prevail at all terminals through the current TAF cycle. Winds will generally be under 15 knots (except at SNS) with offshore flow becoming onshore later this afternoon. Offshore breezes, still under 15 knots, return between 0400-0600Z Sunday.
Vicinity of SFO, VFR with 5-10 knots easterly winds becoming onshore/northwesterly between 2200Z-0000Z. During this time, speeds increase to just over 10 knots. Speeds diminish through the 0300- 0400Z this evening with winds becoming variable and eventually easterly by daybreak Sunday.
SFO Bridge Approach, Similar to SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals, VFR with passing high clouds. Slightly stronger breezes are anticipated at KSNS due to channeling through the Salinas Valley. The seabreeze will switch winds to onshore later this afternoon around 2000-2100Z. Offshore flow is forecast to return this evening with no noteworthy aviation concerns anticipated over the next 24 hours.
(today through Thursday) Issued at 1036 AM PDT Sat Apr 4 2026
Light to moderate northerly winds continue into next week with coastal jet bringing locally fresh to strong gusts along the Big Sur Coast midweek. A low pressure system over the Pacific will approach the region by the middle of next week bringing a chance of rain, fresh to strong gusts across the northern waters, and moderate to rough seas.
High pressure off the Pacific Northwest coast and low pressure along the California coast will maintain northerly flow this weekend. Light to moderate northerly breezes will persist into next week. A low pressure system over the Pacific will approach the coastal waters and bays by the middle of next week bringing a chance of rain, strong breezes, and moderate seas.
Ca, None. PZ, None.
