, Issued at 223 PM PDT Wed Sep 23 2026 (This evening through Thursday night)
Our marine layer will continue to degrade off the coast with low expectations for it to rebuild significantly overnight. Persistent onshore winds remain light into Thursday with a weak push of offshore flow overnight across the higher elevations. Due to the lack of low clouds, temperatures climb into the mid 80s to lower 90s across the interior North/East/South Bays with the Central Coast experiencing inland temperatures up to the mid 90s. As a result, pockets of moderate HeatRisk persist today into tomorrow afternoon, specifically along the San Pablo Bay shoreline, interior East/South Bay and Central Coast valleys, as well as the Big Sur coastline. Remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, wearing sunscreen and light clothing. The Pacific coastline along the Bay Area and Monterey Bay regions remain cooler in the 60s to lower 70s. Similar conditions are expected to continue Thursday morning as the marine layer is expected to remain confined to the coast with poor humidity recoveries overnight. Thursday afternoon, however, marks the beginning of a transition period towards cooler conditions due to an increased push of strong onshore winds ahead of an incoming dry cold frontal passage.
..issued at 223 PM PDT Wed Sep 23 2026 (Friday through next Tuesday)
After a couple of days of above normal temperatures, things will begin to transition as we round out the end of the work week and venture into the weekend. On the synoptic scale the region will be in the wake of an upper trough that is forecast to swing eastward through the Pacific NW. Largely NW breezes are anticipated as the diffuse frontal boundary slides southward, however, portions of the Central Coast (largely the Santa Lucia Range) may experience brief periods of N to even NNE'ly breezes as surface pressure rises across the northern Sac Valley late Friday into Saturday. Fortunately, the probability for widespread wind gusts exceeding 30 to 35 mph remains under 10%, except across Pacific Coast waters.
The upper air pattern will remain somewhat amplified this weekend and into early next week. Broad/diffuse troughing along the Pacific Coast should translate to some degree of onshore flow. It doesn't appear that the marine layer will deepen through 3,000 feet (or at least deepen it quickly) with the tail end of some of the hi-res guidance suggesting around 1500-2000 ft. For elevations toward the higher end of this range, cross-sections do indicate RH potentially as low as the mid-teens which may set the stage for extended periods of dryness, particularly during the overnight hours. Should this signal in the NWP persist, fire weather headlines for poor overnight humidity may be warranted this weekend and into early next week. Additionally, we'll need to monitor the progression of the marine layer as it'll have ramifications on the temperature forecast as we progress through the weekend. Should the marine layer not deepen as much, it'll be highly probable that upward adjustments to MaxT (and downward adjustments to RH) will be needed. For now, the official forecast will roll with the deterministic NBM which keeps temperatures in the 60s along the coast to the low to mid 80s across the interior. Outside of occasional coastal drizzle/mist/fog, there doesn't appear to be any real opportunity for widespread rainfall in the next week or so.
(18z TAFS) Issued at 1055 AM PDT Wed Sep 23 2026
Mostly VFR currently, the exception is KHAF where LIFR conditions persist. VFR is expected by late morning and will persist until late this evening when sub-MVFR conditions return to the coastal areas. There confidence is moderate for coastal locations to receive sub- IFR and lower confidence for the Bay Area Terminals early Thursday morning. Any low clouds or fog that does develop will clear between 1630Z-1730Z Thursday.
Vicinity of SFO, VFR. Onshore winds are forecast to increase this afternoon, yet no significant gusts expected. Wind speeds ease overnight and into early Thursday morning with a low confidence for sub-MVFR (10-30% probability) yet MVFR is more likely with 20-50% probability at or around 11Z Thursday. Any low clouds that does develop will clear between 1630Z-1730Z Thursday with increasing onshore winds by Thursday afternoon.
SFO Bridge Approach, Similar to SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals, VFR. Onshore winds are forecast to increase this afternoon before easing after sunset. There is moderate confidence to see similar conditions late this evening and into the overnight as we saw this morning. There is moderate confidence for sub-IFR (30-50% probability) late tonight into Thursday morning before returning to VFR by around 17Z Thursday.
(today through Monday) Issued at 1055 AM PDT Wed Sep 23 2026
Northerly breezes will remain moderate to fresh over the outer waters. Locally hazardous conditions will persist for small craft over the outer waters through Wednesday night. Winds will weaken further across all waters on Thursday. Friday will see an increase in northwest winds accompanied by seas building back up to rough, and continuing into the weekend.
Ca, None. PZ, Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM PDT early this morning for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.
Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Thursday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.
CA, None. PZ, Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM to 9 PM PDT Thursday for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.
Small Craft Advisory from 9 PM Thursday to 3 AM PDT Friday for Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.
Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Thursday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.
