Bay Area residents are soaking up the sun as an unexpected March heatwave has pushed temperatures into record-breaking territory. According to the National Weather Service San Francisco, today's high is expected to hover around a sunny 78 degrees with calm winds picking up slightly in the afternoon, and with that, the paramount of the thermometer's climb will not cease tomorrow, as Tuesday's forecast predicts a similar high near 79 degrees with light and variable winds.

The NWS San Francisco outlined a beach hazard statement through Tuesday evening, warning beachgoers about sneaker waves and rip currents, advising to "observe the ocean for 20 minutes before you pick a spot on the beach," not only because of the potential hazards but also due to the ocean's chilly waters which stand in stark contrast to the balmy land temperatures, expected to drop only to a low around 56 degrees tonight with mostly clear skies and a northwest wind easing into the evening.

However, don't get too accustomed to these summer-like conditions. The heat is fleeting, as NWS San Francisco notes a return to seasonal temperatures and rainy weather by midweek, partly sunny skies with a high near 64 on Wednesday and a slight chance of rain Wednesday night, which could leave us with less than a tenth of an inch of the sought-after precipitation, the coming days also herald a decrease in temperature, returning to more familiar highs in the low 60s, followed by the possibility of more significant rainfall looming over the weekend.

Historical context embellishes this heat event. Various locations, including San Jose and Salinas Airport, are experiencing their warmest days since October 2024 and, for some, the first dip into the 80s this year, as articulated by the NWS San Francisco.