Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 300637
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
1137 PM PDT Sun Mar 29 2026

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1136 PM PDT Sun Mar 29 2026

 - Warm and dry today with cooling trend beginning.

 - Light rain Tuesday through Thursday.


&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 1136 PM PDT Sun Mar 29 2026
(Tonight through Tuesday)

The upper level pattern is a bit interesting, with near zonal flow 
over the Bay Area and Central coast, while weak ridging flattens 
over the eastern Pacific. The forecast challenge for today will be 
high temperatures, as we should begin a cooling trend. Looking at 
the soundings from 12Z Sun and 0Z Mon, the 925mb and 850mb remained 
warm. Given the forecast isn't deviating too much, looked into the 
GEFS and ECMWF ensembles, plus deterministic model guidance. Both 
favored elevated temperatures in those heights with high 
temperatures being a few degrees warmer than the NBM out put. Opted 
to run with the NBM EXP to push temperatures a few degrees warmer.


&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 1136 PM PDT Sun Mar 29 2026
(Tuesday night through next Sunday)

The pattern change continues on Tuesday as an upper level 
disturbance passes over California. Rain chances continue into 
Wednesday into Thursday morning as a disturbances passes over the 
PacNW. Each time rain amounts look to be light, generally around 
0.10" or less for interior locations and up to a 0.25" in the 
coastal mountains. After that, drier weather looks to be on tap as 
high pressure builds in from the west and the upper low slides digs 
into the intermountain. Breezier offshore/northerly winds are 
expected late in the week, especially for the interior mountains and 
areas of higher terrain. 

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 934 PM PDT Sun Mar 29 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail through the forecast period
with increasing onshore breezes Tuesday afternoon and evening,
with some haze develping but expected to be impactful.

Vicinity of SFO...VFR will prevail through the forecast period
with some haze in the afternoon and evening and increasing onshore
flow that may bring low stratus back by early Tuesday.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...VFR will prevail through the TAF period
with increasing onshore flow and occasional northwest breezes 
Monday afternoon into the evening hours. Stratus may return by 
early Tuesday morning but it is currently outside the forecast 
time.

&&

.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Friday)
Issued at 440 PM PDT Sun Mar 29 2026

A moderate northerly breeze and moderate seas continue through
Monday before winds weaken and shift to a SW direction Tuesday. A
cold front will move through Wednesday, followed by near gale
force NW winds and rough seas Thursday into Friday.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 952 PM PDT Sat Mar 28 2026

Here are the record high temperatures at the long term sites for
March 29th.

Location          March 29th

Santa Rosa        86 in 2018
San Rafael        85 in 2018
Kentfield         84 in 1935
Napa              83 in 2018, 1968
Richmond          79 in 1968
Livermore         85 in 2015
San Francisco     81 in 2018
SFO Airport       81 in 2018
Redwood City      85 in 2018, 1968
Half Moon Bay     77 in 2004
Oakland           79 in 2003
San Jose          82 in 2018
Salinas Airport   86 in 2018

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...None.
PZ...None.
&&

$$

SHORT TERM...KR
LONG TERM....KR
AVIATION...JM
MARINE...Sarment

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Mon Mar 30 02:30:02 PDT 2026
From the National Weather Service