Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 270430
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
930 PM PDT Fri Jun 26 2026

...New AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1220 PM PDT Fri Jun 26 2026

 - Gusty onshore winds through Saturday with east-west mountain
   passes as high as 50+ mph. Winds increase for the waters this
   weekend, with marine impacts through early next week 

 - An upper trough brings cooler temperatures, moisture, and a
   deeper marine layer with AM drizzle Saturday

 - Beach hazards return Saturday morning through Wednesday morning
   for south and southwest facing beaches along the Pacific Coast

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 1220 PM PDT Fri Jun 26 2026
(This evening through Saturday night)

Radar shows ongoing light rain showers across the far interior areas 
as a cold front moves down, associated with the larger upper level 
low propagating across the PacNW. With troughing firmly in place, a 
deeper marine layer allowed for some coastal drizzle this morning 
for a few spots, now currently mixing out. High clouds associated 
with this system continue to move into the region, helping to 
keep interior areas a bit cooler today. Along with these clouds, cooler
850 mb temps will usher in 10-15 degree below normal surface 
temperatures for both this afternoon and Saturday. As the low 
moves slightly southward today and tomorrow, a tighter gradient 
will allow for a significant uptick in onshore winds both days, 
with gusts 50+ mph through west-east passes and mountain 
peaks...20-40 mph wind gusts elsewhere. With better moisture in 
the lower levels, the marine layer on Saturday will remain 
sufficiently deep, and another round of drizzle/light rain 
(<0.05") is expected in the morning.

Winds will increase not only across inland areas, but also over the 
waters. Gusts up to 30-40 kt will be possible with seas of 8 to 10 
ft. Marine hazards are currently in effect through Sunday morning, 
please see the marine discussion for further information.

An uptick in long period southerly swell will result in a high risk 
of rip currents and sneaker waves. Never turn your back to the 
ocean! Beach hazards will be in effect this weekend and into 
much of next week, see the beaches discussion for more
information. 

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 1220 PM PDT Fri Jun 26 2026
(Sunday through next Thursday)

The aforementioned low will move up to Idaho/Montana beginning 
Sunday, but weak troughing will remain in place over California 
through at least the middle of next week as high pressure attempts 
to push in from the west. A very slow increase in heights will 
support the marine layer becoming more compressed each day, but 
could still make it relatively far inland with patchy fog for the 
coastal terrain through at least Tuesday. Temperatures will follow 
suit, slowly warming into the middle of the week, but generally 
should remain at or below normal through the forecast period. Model 
guidance has finally started to catch on to this cooler influence 
from the trough, but forecasted temperatures near the end of the 
period may still be a bit too high depending on how long it takes
for the ridge to push in. 

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 831 PM PDT Fri Jun 26 2026

Low clouds hover over the area with MVFR/IFR conditions continuing 
through early Saturday morning. Pockets of BR/DZ until 12-16Z 
Sat, which may reduce visibilities 4-6sm within 20 miles of the 
coast. CIGs scattering from north to south mid morning into the 
early afternoon hours. Low to moderate confidence in any CIGs 
returning Saturday evening for the region, highest chance along 
the immediate coast. 

Gusty westerly winds will ease slightly tonight. Winds increasing
again on Saturday afternoon into the evening from north to south,
where TAF sites will see gusts near 25-35 kts at times. Winds ease
late Saturday night.

Vicinity of SFO...MVFR/IFR CIGs overnight, becoming MVFR in the
morning. Winds will remain elevated but ease through the evening 
with gusts near 15-20 knots. Cloud cover lifts and scatters into 
the mid morning as gusty west winds return. Strong gusts build 
into Saturday afternoon and evening; confidence increasing with 
around a 60-70% chance of wind gusts reaching 35 knots 22z Sat - 
05z Sun. Winds ease Saturday night.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...MVFR/IFR conditions conditions with areas
of BR/DZ overnight. Winds will lessen tonight; elevated winds 
returning by Saturday afternoon and evening with gusts near 25 
knots at times. Winds ease Saturday night.
 
&&

.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Thursday)
Issued at 831 PM PDT Fri Jun 26 2026

Winds continue to reduce through the night, increasing slightly
from the Bay Area northward by the early morning on Saturday.
Stronger winds become more widespread across the entire region by 
Saturday afternoon and night. These strong winds and rough seas 
will result in hazardous conditions for small craft across the 
waters at times well into the work week. Expect gale force gusts 
to develop in the northern outer waters and along coastal jet 
regions over the weekend as well. Long period southwest swell will
persist through the extended forecast.

&&

.BEACHES...
Issued at 110 AM PDT Fri Jun 26 2026

A Beach Hazards Statement has been issued for the Pacific Coast 
Beaches from Saturday morning through Wednesday morning as long 
period southerly swell returns to the coast, creating an increased
risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents, especially for 
south and southwest facing beaches. Hazardous beach conditions are
advertised, specifically for moderate to steeply sloped beaches 
along the Pacific Coast of the North Bay, San Mateo, Santa Cruz 
counties. Sneaker waves will run up the beach much farther than 
other waves, potentially catching beachgoers by surprise and 
resulting in people being swept into the water. Rip currents are 
strong enough to pull the strongest swimmers away from shore. Swim
near a lifeguard if possible. Stay back from the beach, and away 
from jetties, piers, beachside rocks, and other infrastructure 
near the water. Never turn your back to the ocean! 

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Beach Hazards Statement from 5 AM PDT Saturday through late 
     Tuesday night for CAZ006-505-509-529-530.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Sunday for SF Bay N of Bay 
     Bridge.

     Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Saturday for Mry Bay.

     Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM Saturday to 3 AM PDT Sunday for 
     Mry Bay-Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM to 3 PM PDT Saturday for Pt Arena 
     to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM-Pt Reyes 
     to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

     Gale Warning from 3 PM Saturday to 3 AM PDT Sunday for 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-Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Saturday for Pt Pinos to Pt 
     Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM Saturday to 3 AM PDT Sunday for 
     Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Zuber
LONG TERM....Zuber
AVIATION...APR
MARINE...APR

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Fri Jun 26 22:30:03 PDT 2026
From the National Weather Service