The Bay Area is wrapped in a dense blanket of fog this morning, per a Dense Fog Advisory from the National Weather Service (NWS) in San Francisco. Conditions have led to visibility issues around Monterey Bay, the coastline, and the Northern Salinas Valley, which is expected to persist through 9 AM Saturday. Motorists are urged to exercise caution on roads where visibility "may quickly reduce due to fog."

⚠️Dense Fog Advisory now in effect through 9 AM. Widespread dense fog will impact Monterey Bay, Monterey Bay coastline, and the Northern Salinas Valley through Saturday morning. Use caution as visibilities may quickly reduce due to fog. pic.twitter.com/ucRcY3Ybbb

— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) September 7, 2024

A slight respite from recent heat is on the cards as we look ahead. "A slight cool down will begin today", NWS' Area Forecast Discussion suggests, as a weak upper level trough begins to impact the Bay Area, with temperatures slated to stay above the seasonal average for the next few days. However, the NWS also projects temperatures to fall gently to more typical values by mid-week.

Coastal areas are forecasted to maintain the more temperate 60s and 70s for those seeking relief from the heat. Santa Cruz, a notable exception, may still experience the mid-80s. Nightfall is expected to bring better humidity recoveries, except in the highest elevations. With a slightly deepening marine layer, Bay Area residents should anticipate low clouds spreading inland, bringing nighttime temperatures down into the 50s and 60s across different regions.

Into the week, attention turns to the sea, where mariners should take heed of the "breezy north to northwest winds," reported by the NWS, which are predicted to continue through the weekend, intensifying especially along the Big Sur coastline. A more significant cool down will "kick off as a stronger upper level through drives southward out of the Gulf of Alaska" midweek, which could considerably churn coastal waters into the upcoming weekend.