, Issued at 208 AM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026 (Today and tonight)
An upper level disturbance will pass over the PacNW today, with quasi-zonal flow to weak troughing setting up over northern CA. To our southwest west, high pressure is being suppressed over the Desert Southwest and southern CA. What does that mean for us in the short term? Well, it means the marine layer will remain compressed as a result, at about 500ft and hugging the San Mateo and Central Coast line which means cloudy skies, patchy dense fog, and perhaps coastal drizzle through the mid morning. Skies will then clear, leading to a mainly sunny day across the region. Moderate HeatRisk is expected today for interior locations where temperatures reach the mid 90s to low 100s. Elsewhere, temperatures rise into the low 70s to mid 80s unless you're immediately along the coast where temperatures 60s.
..issued at 208 AM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026 (Monday through Saturday)
Little change for Monday as the aforementioned upper level trough pushes east, allowing the pattern to change from quasi-zonal and troughy to quasi-zonal with high pressure building in. The forecast will essentially be on repeat, with perhaps interior temperatures warming up a few degrees. Heading into midweek, there are a few items that could affect temperatures. The first being onshore flow ushering in some cooler air; however, it will be dependent on how quickly the high builds in. If it is able to build, 850mb temps look to be fairly warm in the deterministic guidance. This means temps may need to be bumped up a few degrees inland instead of showing a subtle cooling trend. Beyond that high pressure looks to build and hold leading to a warming trend for late week and into the weekend.
(12z TAFS) Issued at 429 AM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026
VFR everywhere except the coast where patchy stratus is filling in over the Monterey Bay and San Mateo coastline. Given the compressed marine layer, highest confidence in patchy IFR to LIFR CIGs along the coast with stratus not expected to extend inland. High pressure will keep the marine layer compressed again tonight and see a late return of stratus along the coast. Currently not expecting stratus to extend inland tonight due to the compressed marine layer. Breezy onshore winds return this afternoon before winds decrease overnight.
Vicinity of SFO, VFR. The marine layer remains compressed due to high pressure which will prevent stratus from extending inland. Guidance shows some potential for patchy stratus to reach SFO early this morning (12-16Z) but confidence is low that this will occur. Breezy northwesterly winds expected this afternoon/evening before winds decrease overnight.
SFO Bridge Approach, Similar to SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals, IFR to LIFR conditions expected this morning. Some potential for patchy fog to impact MRY this morning with visibilities decreasing to around 1-2SM. Conditions improve by late morning with VFR through the afternoon. There is mixed confidence on tonight's stratus return. Ensemble guidance again suggests a later return is likely at both sites with the HRRR suggesting both sites could stay VFR through much of tonight. This scenario cannot be fully written off due to how compressed the marine layer is and the potential for high pressure to fully mix out the marine layer. For the 06Z TAFs, leaned on persistence to have stratus return late tonight but this may need to be amended in future TAF issuances.
(today through Friday) Issued at 429 AM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026
Strong to near gale force northwesterly winds continue through Sunday before diminishing late Sunday into early Monday. The northern coastal waters will have frequent gale force gusts and occasional storm force gusts through early Monday. Rough to very rough (9 to 15 foot) wind driven seas continue to build today and remain elevated through the early work week.
Ca, None. PZ, Gale Warning until 9 PM PDT this evening for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.
Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM PDT early this morning for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.
Gale Warning until 3 AM PDT Monday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10- 60 NM.
Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Monday for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM.
