, Issued at 1228 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026 (This evening through Friday night)
A mid/upper level trough of low pressure remains off of the West Coast and is resulting in widespread cooler temperatures this afternoon, as much as 15 deg F below normal. Humidities across the region have also improved, especially beneath the approximately 2,200 foot marine layer. The potential for high-based convection has also greatly diminish as the higher PWAT values and insatiability continue to shift eastward as a result of the troughing of of the coast. Low clouds are highly likely to return to the coast this evening and spread into the interior valleys early Friday morning. Have also added patchy drizzle to favored locations as the marine layer is forecast to deepen to around 2,500 feet overnight. On Friday, expecting a slower stratus retreat to the coastline with similar or slightly cooler temperatures than today. Friday night into Saturday morning, expecting another around of widespread drizzle along the coast and in the favored upslope regions.
..issued at 1228 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026 (Saturday through next Wednesday)
A subtle warming trend is forecast to begin by Saturday afternoon, yet temperatures will remain below seasonal averages into much of next week. This is as the trough off of the West Coast weakens and the ridge begins to build over the Desert Southwest. As a result, the marine layer is forecast to compress with more typical late morning to early afternoon retreat of stratus to the coastline.
(18z TAFS) Issued at 1127 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
The marine layer was 2200 feet deep this morning and it is set to increase up to 2500 feet tonight. As a result, stratus is taking a bit longer to scatter out of the remaining terminals, though widespread VFR should prevail after noon. The only exception is HAF where they will maintain MVFR ceilings through the day with occasional misty conditions that may impact visibility. Gusty onshore winds increase through the afternoon with possible gusts around 20 to 25 kt. Breezes become light overnight, generally from the west to southwest. A deepening marine layer may initiate an early onset of stratus this TAF period. Coastal terminals will develop MVFR ceilings this afternoon. Inland sites develop MVFR ceilings around midnight. Stratus should scatter out mid to late morning Friday.
Vicinity of SFO, Gusty west to southwest winds prevail through the afternoon and ease around sunset. Higher chance for gusts in excess of 22 kt at SFO than OAK. MVFR ceilings make an early return tonight with medium confidence on the exact timing. Given the expected marine layer depth, stratus is expected to clear later tomorrow around 19-20Z.
SFO Bridge Approach, Similar to SFO. Stratus should generally develop after and clear before SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals, Onshore winds with gusts around 20 kt increase this afternoon, shortly after the remaining stratus clears from the terminals. Relied on persistence for MVFR stratus arrival today, so expect ceilings to develop this afternoon. Onshore winds remain light overnight with potential for ceilings to become low-end MVFR. Medium to high confidence that they will remain MVFR through the TAF period.
(today through Tuesday) Issued at 1127 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
Moderate north to northwest winds prevail through the day and into the weekend with moderate seas around 5 to 8 feet. A long period southerly swell around 16 to 18 seconds is set to approach our coastal waters by Friday evening and persist through the weekend. Haze and smoke may decrease visibility nearby the Big Sur coastline due to the ongoing Timber fire.
Ca, None. PZ, Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT this afternoon for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.
