Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 201148
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
348 AM PST Thu Nov 20 2025

...New AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 231 AM PST Thu Nov 20 2025

 - Beneficial type rain continues through Thursday.

 - Dry weather returns Friday and continues through the weekend.

 - Increased risk for sneaker waves and rip currents through 
   Thursday afternoon through Monday evening. 

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 238 AM PST Thu Nov 20 2025
(Today and tonight)

Active weather overnight, but thankfully not overly impactful. A
digging upper level trough fueled by a phased upper level jet did
lead to cyclogenesis. The resulting surface low is pretty weak 
with a surface low currently analyzed just west of the Golden 
Gate at 1013 mb. The associated frontal structure is finally 
making its way inland. Earlier in the night a few scattered 
showers were traversing portions of the Bay Area, but since then 
activity has increased in coverage and intensity with the fropa. 
Rainfall amounts over the last six hours has generally been a few 
hundredths to a few tenths. Jackpot locations include the Marin 
Headland with three tenths. Current radar imagery shows the bulk 
of the precip is already exiting the Sonoma Co and now heading SE 
toward the Central Coast. As such, still expecting morning impacts
to the commute, especially for super commuters. There have been 
only a report or two of minor water issues on roadways overnight, 
but commuters should still be aware of wet roadways. It's wet, but
thankfully not windy like the last system. A few wind gusts up to
20 mph have been observed. 

So, what's the rest of the day look like? The steadier rain will
continue its track S and E with AM impacts. There will be a
brief pause/break in precip behind the front (like the Sonoma 
Co), but do expect a few scattered showers this afternoon with the
upper trough moving overhead. Thereafter, a gradually clearing 
and drying trend will develop. Temps today will be seasonably 
cool.

Depending upon the amount of clearing tonight with decreasing
winds, fog could be an issue over the inland valleys.

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 257 AM PST Thu Nov 20 2025 
(Friday through Wednesday)

Mellow extended forecast thanks building high pressure behind the
departing upper level trough/low. A warming and drying trend will
kick off Friday and then continue into next week. Temperatures 
will be close to or slightly above seasonal average. Ensemble 
guidance keeps the middle of next week on the dry side, which is 
good news given the amount of holiday travel expected. Looking 
farther down the road, ensembles show some spread with precip 
chances returning around the end of the month.

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 348 AM PST Thu Nov 20 2025

Mix of MVFR and VFR conditions across the board with sites 
temporarily dropping to IFR as moderate rain moves directly over 
airports. Showers continue through early this afternoon before dry 
conditions return through the rest of the TAF period. Moderate 
confidence that CIGs will clear this afternoon and remain clear 
through the rest of the TAF period. Winds initially start more 
easterly to southeasterly before switching to northwesterly after 
cold frontal passage. Gusty conditions are likely around the time of 
frontal passage with winds weakening by tonight.

Vicinity of SFO...MVFR to VFR conditions expected through late this 
morning. Light to moderate rain showers continue to move through the 
Bay Area with temporary drops in visibility to MVFR-IFR possible as 
the heaviest showers move over SFO. Rain chances diminish by this 
afternoon with ceiling heights rising. Winds transition from more 
southerly to northwesterly with gusts to around 21 knots during the 
day.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...MVFR to VFR conditions through the rest of 
the morning and into the early afternoon. Ceilings generally rise by 
late afternoon/early evening with low confidence in CIGs lowering 
overnight. Winds switch from more southerly to northwesterly by the 
end of the TAF period with periods of gusty winds expected during 
the morning around the time of frontal passage.

&&

.MARINE...
(Today through Tuesday)
Issued at 348 AM PST Thu Nov 20 2025

Hazardous marine conditions return this morning and continue
through  the weekend. A weak storm system has arrived, bringing
light rain and moderate to strong winds with strong to near gale
force  gusts. Gale force gusts are possible as frontal passage
occurs  but, given the speed of the cold front, they are expected
to be  short lived with winds diminishing quickly. Winds diminish
by  early Friday with moderate northerly winds expected into next
week. Seas build to 10 to 15 feet Thursday and remain elevated
into early next week. Elevated seas will be prolonged by the
arrival of two distinct rounds of long period northwesterly swell.

&&

.BEACHES...
Issued at 322 PM PST Wed Nov 19 2025

A Beach Hazards Statement is in effect from Thursday afternoon 
through Monday evening. A long period northwesterly swell will 
result in an increased risk for sneaker waves and rip currents. 
Breaking waves of 13 to 18 feet are expected. Sneaker waves can 
unexpectedly run significantly farther up the beach than normal, 
including over rocks and jetties. Rip currents are typically more 
frequent and stronger in the vicinity of jetties, inlets, and 
piers. 

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Beach Hazards Statement from this afternoon through Monday 
     evening for CAZ006-505-509-529-530.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM PST Friday for Pigeon Pt to Pt 
     Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Arena to Pt 
     Reyes 10-60 NM-Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM this morning to 9 PM PST this 
     evening for Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PST Friday for Pigeon Pt to Pt 
     Pinos 0-10 nm.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...MM
LONG TERM....MM
AVIATION...Kennedy
MARINE...Kennedy

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Thu Nov 20 06:30:02 PST 2025
From the National Weather Service