Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 240403
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
903 PM PDT Tue Jun 23 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1219 PM PDT Tue Jun 23 2026

 - Hazardous beach conditions along the Pacific Coast through 
   Wednesday

 - Warming peaks today and Wednesday with Minor HeatRisk

 - An upper trough settles over the West Coast by late week, 
   bringing cooler temperatures and breezy to gusty winds

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 1219 PM PDT Tue Jun 23 2026
(This evening through Wednesday)

The marine layer is sufficiently deep around 1200-1500 ft today with 
satellite showing steady erosion for the inland valleys. Subtle weak 
ridging remains in place through Wednesday, helping compress the 
marine layer into Thursday morning. As low clouds push inland again 
tonight, slightly less inland spread and an uptick in coastal fog 
can be expected to accompany the shallower marine layer, with 
visibility impacts most prevalent for coastal terrain. As such, 
clouds may burn off earlier in the day on Wednesday for most areas, 
encouraging similar or slightly warmer high temperatures compared to 
today, especially for the valleys. Minor HeatRisk will be one of the 
main threats for the short term, peaking today and tomorrow as 
valleys and inland spots reach the 80s and interior areas reach the 
90s. Despite this warming trend, model guidance has actually been 
over-performing with highs for the South Bay as it struggles to 
resolve the shallower marine layer. Have lowered temps slightly for 
each day through Thursday, primarily for the areas where marine 
layer influence will linger into the late morning/early afternoon. 

The other primary concern remains the long-period southerly swell 
impacting the Pacific Coast beaches into Wednesday afternoon. There 
is a high risk for sneaker waves and strong rip currents...never 
turn your back to the ocean. Additional information can be found in 
the Beach Hazard Statement and the Beaches discussion section
below.

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 1219 PM PDT Tue Jun 23 2026
(Wednesday night through next Monday)

A large upper-level low will start meandering down along the 
Canadian coastline for the latter half of the week, decreasing 
heights over the region with a much deeper marine layer Friday and 
into the weekend. As cooler, moist air fills in, marine layer depth 
should push closer to 1500-2000ft as early as Friday morning, with 
significantly cooler temperatures for interior areas. Highs will 
fall 4-8 degrees Friday compared to Thursday for inland spots, with 
further cooling into Saturday as heights continue to fall with the 
approach of the low. By Saturday morning, the marine layer will be 
deep enough to support patchy drizzle, primarily for the coastal 
areas.

As the low approaches, a tightening gradient will bring gusty 
onshore winds for much of the region as early as Friday, with higher 
confidence for Saturday and Sunday. Gusts may exceed 40 mph at 
times, especially for wind-prone areas and mountain passes. Winds 
weaken Sunday as the low moves up into Montana and weak ridging will 
attempt to move back into the area. At this time, some long-range 
models suggest a prevailing troughing pattern that may limit warming 
for next week, but temperatures should improve a bit compared to the 
Friday/Saturday cooldown. 

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 903 PM PDT Tue Jun 23 2026

It's VFR except for stratus /MVFR-IFR/ along the immediate 
coastline. Stratus /MVFR-IFR/ moves inland tonight and Wednesday 
morning. Stratus mixes out to the coastline with conditions 
improving to MVFR-VFR by late Wednesday morning and afternoon. 
Coastal stratus redevelops Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Vicinity of SFO...Stratus /MVFR-IFR/ prevails tonight and 
Wednesday morning with mix out to VFR 19z Wednesday. Stratus
/MVFR-IFR/ returns Wednesday evening. West to northwest wind 5 to
12 knots tonight then increasing to near 15 knots beginning 19z 
Wednesday, then easing to 5 to 10 knots late Wednesday evening.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Vicinity of SJC and OAK...For SJC Airport VFR for the evening, 
then stratus /MVFR/ develops overnight then mixes out to VFR 17z 
Wednesday. Northwest wind 5 to 10 knots decreasing to light and 
variable wind early Wednesday morning then northwest near 15 knots
Wednesday afternoon. For OAK Airport stratus /MVFR-IFR/ prevails 
tonight and Wednesday morning, mixing out to VFR 19z. Stratus
/MVFR-IFR/ returns Wednesday evening. West wind 5 to 15 knots.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Stratus /MVFR-IFR/ moves inland tonight
and Wednesday morning. Conditions improving to MVFR-VFR late 
Wednesday morning and afternoon. Stratus /MVFR-IFR/ returns 
Wednesday evening and night. Onshore winds 5 to 15 knots.

&&

.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Monday)
Issued at 815 PM PDT Tue Jun 23 2026

Gentle to moderate winds will persist through midday Wednesday
with generally moderate seas. Fresh to strong breezes and rough
seas are forecast to resume over the coastal waters late in the
week. Hazardous conditions for small craft will develop Wednesday
afternoon and continue through at least Thursday for the northern
outer waters. Long period southwest swell will persist through
the extended forecast.

&&

.BEACHES...
Updated at 1215 AM PDT Tue Jun 22 2026

Long period southerly swell at around 14 to 16 seconds will 
increase to 17 to 19 seconds by the middle of the week as 
energetic storms in the Southern Hemisphere continue to affect the
California coast, 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. A Beach Hazards 
Statement for Pacific Coast beaches continues through Wednesday 
afternoon. Be sure to check beach conditions before you head out. 
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 through Wednesday afternoon for CAZ006-
     505-509-529-530.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM Wednesday to 3 AM PDT Thursday 
     for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Navarrete
LONG TERM....Navarrete
AVIATION...Canepa
MARINE...Canepa

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Tue Jun 23 22:30:04 PDT 2026
From the National Weather Service