FXUS66 KMTR 210434
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
934 PM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 107 PM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026

 - One last day of record-breaking heat today with Moderate
   HeatRisk across the region.

 - Elevated potential for grass fires today with fire concerns
   easing into the weekend.

 - Gradual cooling trend begins this weekend and lasts through the
   next week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 849 PM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026

Temperatures are cooling across the region as the final day of our
heat wave comes to a close. Across our 13 climate sites, 12 broke
their daily high temperature records and 7 broke their all time 
March monthly high temperature records. Half Moon Bay was one
degree shy of tying their daily high temperature record.
Temperatures are expected to cool into the 70s to mid 80s on
Saturday and then 70s to low 80s on Sunday. While notably cooler,
this is still 10 to 15 degrees above normal for this time of year.
No rain on the horizon sadly.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 107 PM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026
(This evening through Saturday)

The end is in sight... but not quite yet. Today should mark the last 
of several days of record-breaking heat across the region. As a note 
for the weather geeks out there, this morning's 12Z (5 AM PDT) 
sounding at Oakland reported a temperature of 23.4 C at the 850 mb 
level (around 5000 feet above sea level). This not only breaks the 
record for the hottest 850 mb temperature in March (which was itself 
set by the 00Z/5 PM PDT flight yesterday afternoon), it would also 
set the record highest 850 mb temperature for the month of April. 
With such high temperatures, it should not be a surprise to learn 
that as of noon today, downtown San Francisco, Oakland Museum, 
Redwood City, San Jose, and Salinas Airport have all broken their 
daily records. 

Widespread Moderate HeatRisk is expected today, corresponding to a 
medium risk of heat-related illnesses for sensitive populations, 
including children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic 
diseases, and people who live or work outside without adequate 
shelter or cooling. Given the abnormally hot conditions for the 
middle of March, a Heat Advisory remains in effect for the Bay Area 
and Central Coast through 8 PM tonight. Follow these tips to protect 
yourself, your loved ones, and your animals.

-Stay inside in an air conditioned environment between 10am and 7pm.
-Suspend unnecessary outdoor activities during the extreme heat, but 
if you must be outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade  or AC 
and drink cool water.
-Know the signs and symptoms of Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke! 
Heat Stroke can be deadly if not treated immediately by a medical 
professional. Call 911 if you suspect someone is suffering from Heat 
Stroke.
-Wear a life vest, swim near a lifeguard, and check conditions 
before entering the water if going to a river or ocean to cool off. 
Rivers and the ocean are extremely cold, and Cold Water Shock can 
turn into paralysis and drowning if you are not careful.
-Use a cool and damp towel on your body if you do not have AC and 
are feeling hot. Or, take a cool shower or bath.
-Do not leave kids or pets in a parked car.
-Ensure pets and livestock have access to shade and water.

Later today through Saturday, the ridge that has given us these 
record-breaking temperatures begins to break down and crawl 
eastwards, allowing for a more zonal (east-west) upper level 
pattern, a gradual cooling trend, and a slight expansion of the 
marine layer to begin for the weekend. Low temperatures on Saturday 
morning hover in the lower to middle 50s for the lower elevations, 
and the lower to middle 60s for the higher elevations. Highs on 
Saturday will range from the lower to middle 80s for the inland 
valleys, the middle to upper 70s close to the Bays, and the 60s 
along the Pacific coast.

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 107 PM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026
(Saturday night through next Thursday)

The gradual cooling trend continues into the early part of next 
week. Despite the more zonal flow regime across the region, the 
upper level heights continue to stay above the seasonal averages, 
and a ridge develops across the Desert Southwest towards the middle 
of the week, keeping the temperatures near or slightly warmer than 
the seasonal averages. High temperatures will settle around the 
upper 70s to middle 80s inland and the lower to middle 60s along the 
coast, and lows will generally hover in the middle 40s to lower 50s 
in the lower elevations, up to the middle 50s for the higher 
elevations. The inland valleys of Monterey and San Benito Counties 
remain rather warm with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s possible.

For those people who are still holding out for a heroic late-season 
rainstorm, the 7-day forecast shows nary a drop of rain. The CPC 
outlook for the 8-14 day period does show a lean towards 
precipitation values closer to the seasonal average, but for 
downtown San Francisco, that seasonal average only translates to a 
little above a half an inch of rain.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 933 PM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026

Currently VFR at all terminals. Moderate confidence on the return of 
LIFR-IFR conditions to HAF, MRY, and SNS. Low stratus will stick 
close to the coast tomorrow afternoon once VFR is achieved. Onshore 
winds will prevail.

Vicinity of SFO...Currently VFR with westerly flow. High confidence 
in VFR through the TAF period with a low probability (20%) for sub-
VFR conditions to return to the terminal tonight. Westerly winds 
will prevail. 

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Currently VFR with northeasterly flow at 
MRY and VFR with westerly flow at SNS. Moderate confidence on LIFR 
conditions returning to the terminals tonight. Low stratus will 
stick to the Pacific Coast tomorrow afternoon. Westerly winds will 
prevail.

&&

.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Thursday)
Issued at 849 PM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026

Strong northerly winds will spread across the waters tonight
through tomorrow night. Frequent gale force gusts are expected
across the outer waters and in the Point Reyes coastal jet region
with isolated gale force gusts expected from Point Reyes to Point
Piedras Blancas. Hazardous seas are expected over the weekend as a
result. Winds diminish and seas abate going into next week.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 849 PM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026

The following are the UPDATED record high temperatures at the long term
sites for March 20th.

Location             Mar 20   

Santa Rosa         91 in 2026
San Rafael         92 in 2026
Kentfield          88 in 2026
Napa               90 in 2026
Richmond           87 in 2026
Livermore          91 in 2026
San Francisco      90 in 2026
SFO Airport        89 in 2026
Redwood City       94 in 2026
Half Moon Bay      75 in 2010
Oakland Museum     91 in 2026
San Jose           88 in 2026
Salinas Airport    94 in 2026

The following are the UPDATED record high temperatures at the long term
sites for the entire month of March.

Location 		 

Santa Rosa       92 March 19, 2026
San Rafael       92 March 20, 2026
Kentfield        91 March 28, 1923
Napa             92 March 17, 1914
Richmond         88 March 18, 2026
Livermore        91 March 20, 2026
San Francisco    90 March 20, 2026
SFO Airport      89 March 20, 2026
Redwood City     94 March 20, 2026
Half Moon Bay    83 March 31, 2000 and March 17, 2004
Oakland Museum   91 March 20, 2026
San Jose         89 March 14, 2015
Salinas Airport 94 March 20, 2026

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...None.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PDT Saturday for Pigeon Pt to Pt 
     Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.

     Gale Warning from 9 AM Saturday to 3 AM PDT Sunday for Pigeon Pt 
     to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.

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

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

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

     Gale Warning from 3 AM Saturday to 3 AM PDT Sunday for Pt Arena 
     to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

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

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Fri Mar 20 22:30:02 PDT 2026