Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 291126
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
326 AM PST Thu Jan 29 2026

...New AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1203 AM PST Thu Jan 29 2026

 - Above normal temperatures and dry conditions through most of
   the forecast period

 - Minor coastal flooding for bayshore locations along the San 
   Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, and Monterey Bay through Sunday

 - Hazardous beach conditions at Pacific Coast beaches through
   Monday

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 1203 AM PST Thu Jan 29 2026
(Today and tonight)

Surface high pressure across the West and a coastal trough off the 
Pacific Coast will continue to facilitate light offshore flow across 
the region. The only impact is radiational fog in the Russian River 
Valley. If driving in the area, slow down, use your low-beam 
headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. Other than 
that, longwave upper-level ridging across the West will result in a 
warming trend through Saturday with maximum temperatures around 10 
degrees above normal. Higher elevation minimum temperatures will be 
10 degrees above normal with coastal and valley locations near to 
slightly above normal. SJC will challenge its daily maximum 
temperature on Saturday - the previous record is 71 degrees set in 
2015. Hazardous beach conditions will unfortunately coexist with 
fair weather, please read the BEACHES section below for more 
details. Minor coastal flooding is expected to return today and 
persist through Sunday (during the highest tides of the day) to 
bayshore locations along the San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, and 
Monterey Bay. The forecast has taken into account 0.4 ft of storm 
surge. Confidence is moderate due to the uncertainty in: the 
development of the aforementioned low, the impact of the swell, and 
wind direction.

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 1203 AM PST Thu Jan 29 2026
(Friday through Wednesday)

The aforementioned ridge will get booted out by an upper-level low 
in the Gulf of Alaska with the resulting pattern yielding zonal to 
slightly troughy flow across the region on Sunday. This will renew 
rain chances, but don't get too excited. The ensembles of the ECMWF 
and GFS show only a handful of members bringing any rain to the 
region during this timeframe with the official forecast keeping it 
all over the water. Right now, the most likely scenario looks to be 
a pause in the warming trend, an increase in cloud cover, and maybe 
some drizzle for the North Bay. Global ensemble clusters are in 
agreement that longwave ridging will quickly rebuild Monday, likely 
persisting through next Friday at least. This will yield dry weather 
and another warming trend with conditions very similar to what is 
expected in the short term.

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 326 AM PST Thu Jan 29 2026

Patchy and shallow fog has developed over the Santa Rosa Plain, 
including at STS, and within portions of the Russian River Valley, 
which are expected to continue through the morning with similar 
conditions developing tonight. Otherwise, generally VFR conditions 
persist through the TAF period with a gentle onshore breeze this 
afternoon for the coastal terminals, while gentle offshore flow 
develops inland around the same time.

Vicinity of SFO... VFR through the TAF period. Light to gentle 
winds, generally from the east, through the morning before a gentle 
northwest breeze develops in the afternoon.

SFO Bridge Approach... Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals... VFR through the TAF period. Drainage winds 
persist through the morning, breezy at SNS, with a light to gentle 
northwest wind developing in the afternoon and evening before 
drainage winds resume this evening.

&&

.MARINE...
(Today through Tuesday)
Issued at 326 AM PST Thu Jan 29 2026

Gentle to moderate northerly breezes continue through Friday
before winds veer and become southerly over the weekend. Rough
seas are expected today across the coastal waters, diminishing to
moderate on Friday and Saturday before rough seas return Sunday
and Monday.

&&

.BEACHES...
Issued at 347 AM PST Wed Jan 28 2026

Hazardous beach conditions return to all Pacific Coast beaches
tonight and persist through Friday morning. Long period westerly 
swell will bring an increased risk for sneaker waves and strong 
rip currents with breaking waves of 14 to 19 feet. Remember: stay
off of jetties, piers, rocks, and other waterside infrastructure,
remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf, and never turn
your back on the ocean!

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Beach Hazards Statement through Friday morning for CAZ006-505-
     509-529-530.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until noon PST Sunday for CAZ006-506-508-
     529-530.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM this morning to 3 AM PST Friday 
     for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-
     10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PST Friday for Pt Arena to Pt 
     Reyes 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Sarment
LONG TERM....Sarment
AVIATION...DialH
MARINE...DialH

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Thu Jan 29 08:30:03 PST 2026
From the National Weather Service