FXUS66 KMTR 301117
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
417 AM PDT Thu Jul 30 2026

...New AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 119 AM PDT Thu Jul 30 2026

 - Breezy onshore winds expected each afternoon and evening

 - Gradual warming through Saturday, with Moderate HeatRisk for
   our interior locations

 - Elevated fire weather threat across the interior North and East
   Bay, Diablo and Santa Lucia Ranges this week

 - Hazardous beach conditions at the Pacific Coast with an
   increased risk for sneaker waves and rip currents through the
   weekend

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 1246 AM PDT Thu Jul 30 2026
(Today and tonight)

The marine layer clouds that went "poof" earlier in the evening
are slowly reforming along portions of the coast per satellite fog
product. The N-S gradient from SFO-ACV eased, which is also
assisting with the building stratus. That being said, expect some
stratus coverage along the coast this morning and locally inland,
especially Salinas Valley. Any morning clouds will likely be gone
by mid to late morning.

The much talked about interior warm up will be in fully swing
today. While Wednesday features a few spots in the mid to upper
90s (Pinnacles hit 100) those readings will be a little more
widespread. Why the interior heat? The large area of high pressure
that oppressive heat to the Desert SW has been building westward
for a few days now and today it will be more impactful for our
interior locations. What about the coast? Still no change there.
We'll see some warmer conditions, AM clouds and onshore flow will
keep temperatures cooler.  

Speaking of onshore flow, SFO-SAC will likely eclipse 3mb again
this afternoon, which will bring gusts of 25-40 mph for inland
valleys, gaps, passes.

For tonight, some patchy stratus will once again develop, but
given the robust building 500mb heights the marine layer will be 
more compressed. 

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 1246 AM PDT Thu Jul 30 2026
(Friday through Wednesday)

No significant changes were made for the long term forecast as 
overall forecast ideas remain valid from previous forecast. For 
the highlights - Building high pressure will continue the inland 
warmup. Saturday looks to be the warmest with interior Central 
Coast making a run at 110. Temperatures moderate Sunday into 
Monday as the ridge flattens. Interior locations will still see 
widespread Moderate HeatRisk with a few isolated pockets of Major.
Shallow compressed marine layer will keep the coast from seeing 
the real heat, but temperatures still warm a few degrees. 
Temperatures rebound again next week with another push of warm 
850mb air.

Now for what we're watching closely. For a few days now the ECMWF
EFI has been showing really strong winds over the coastal waters
Saturday and especially Sunday. The project N-S pressure gradient
will be in the 7 to 9 mb range (99th percentile), which is very 
strong. Hi- res guidance is showing Storm Force gusts over 60 mph
developing north of Point Reyes. 

As noted by the day shift yesterday, there are a few bursts of
offshore flow. A more notable one is Sunday night/Monday morning
across the N Bay into SF Bay. Obvious fire weather impacts with
warming and drying, but temperatures at the coast have a high bust
potential if this pans out for Monday. 

Finally, fire weather and beaches. See sections below for more
details. If you're recreating in the heat this weekend be the "one
less spark one less fire". Additionally, if you're seeking relief
from inland heat by heading to the beach please never turn your
back to the ocean. We still have hazardous conditions. 

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 417 AM PDT Thu Jul 30 2026

Areas of coastal stratus including a few patches of mist/fog 
/IFR-LIFR/ continue to develop from Point Reyes southward with a 
partial inland intrusion to the East Bay and in the Salinas Valley
otherwise it's clear /VFR/. Diurnal surface warming and mixing 
will reduce stratus/mist/fog coverage back to the coastline today.
A few patches of coastal stratus and fog /IFR-LIFR/ may redevelop
tonight and Friday morning.

Vicinity of SFO...So far it's VFR while stratus is nearby to the
north. 12z TAF advertises VFR. West winds up to 15 to 25 knots 
today, decreasing to 10 to 15 knots tonight and Friday morning.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Stratus including patchy mist/fog /IFR-LIFR/
mixes out to VFR by late morning then redevelops tonight and Friday
morning. Onshore winds 5 to 15 knots with afternoon gusts to 20 
knots.

&&

.MARINE...
(Today through Tuesday)
Issued at 355 AM PDT Thu Jul 30 2026

Fresh to strong northwest breezes with near gale force gusts
persist through the remainder of the week into the weekend.
Occasional gale force gusts with moderate seas are expected  this
afternoon and evening along the coastal jet regions south of Point
Arena and south of Point Sur. Additionally, gale force  winds are
favorable for the northern waters this weekend, perhaps making
into the western most portions of the southern outer waters.
Tropical activity continues to produce long period swell across
the coastal waters into the weekend.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 225 PM PDT Wed Jul 29 2026

The elevated fire weather threat will continue across portions of
the area through this weekend, and potentially into next week. 
Overnight RH recovery will remain moderate to poor at locations at
or above 2,000 feet with values between 35 to 45 percent, with 
some favored locations struggling to even reach 30 percent. This 
will be particularly true across the Mayacamas, highest peaks of 
the East Bay Hills, the Diablo Range, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa 
Lucia and Gabilan Ranges. Nocturnal drying (rapid decrease in RH 
through the pre- dawn hours) may also transpire which will 
increase the burn period or time in which fire behavior may remain
active. Afternoon RH will remain critically dry with values 
between 15 and 30 percent, with far southern portions of the 
interior Central Coast potentially seeing min RH near 10 percent. 
Energy Release Components (ERC) are projected to climb above the 
95th percentile across the interior Central Coast. Individuals 
across the area are advised to avoid activities that may spark a 
fire. Fire crews are urged to exercise extra caution when 
executing any prescribed burns, especially where fuels, 
topography, and weather align. 

&&

.BEACHES...
Issued at 225 PM PDT Wed Jul 29 2026

Long period southerly to southwesterly swell of 15-17 seconds 
will continue to impact our coastline over the next several days, 
bringing hazardous beach conditions to the Central Coast and the 
San Francisco Bay Area. Sneaker waves and strong rips currents 
will be the primary conditions, with breaking waves up to 10 feet
along some south and southwest facing beaches and break points, 
such as Santa Cruz, Pacifica, and parts of Stinson or Ocean Beach.
This can be particularly surprising when wave heights increase 
suddenly after a period of seemingly tranquil wave action. In 
fact, sneaker waves can have 20+ minutes in between the larger 
sets (breaking waves) with significant "flat/calm looking" times 
between them. Due to the long period, sneaker waves are powerful 
and can catch beachgoers by surprise, resulting in people and pets
being swept into the cold, turbulent ocean. Rip currents are 
strong enough to pull even the strongest swimmers away from shore.
Check marine conditions before you head out! Swim near a 
lifeguard, if possible. Maintain a safe distance from the water, 
and stay away from jetties, piers, beachside rocks, and other 
waterside infrastructure. Never turn your back to the ocean and if
you have small children or pets at the beach, please keep an eye 
on them. Hazardous beach conditions are anticipated to persist 
through Saturday afternoon.

&&

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

PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 9 PM PDT this 
     evening for Mry Bay-SF Bay N of Bay Bridge.

     Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PDT Saturday for Pt Arena to Pt 
     Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.

     Gale Warning 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.

     Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM PDT this evening for Pt Reyes to 
     Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM Friday to 3 PM PDT Saturday for 
     Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

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

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

     Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Saturday for Pigeon Pt to Pt 
     Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...MM
LONG TERM....MM
AVIATION...Canepa
MARINE...Canepa

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Thu Jul 30 08:30:02 PDT 2026