The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a forecast predicting a slight warming trend heading into the weekend, with temperatures set to revert to below normal by Monday. Locals can expect sunnier skies inland as the workweek closes, while coastal areas may hang onto some of the cloud cover. The likelihood of a major heat risk event remains a low concern despite these warmer conditions, according to NWS San Francisco.
However, as the marine layer clouds begin to break up by mid-morning Friday, there's an elevated fire weather threat in the higher elevations, starting this weekend and potentially lasting into next week, when winds are predicted to strengthen. Inland temperatures, particularly in the interior Central Coast, may reach the upper 90s, while coastal and Bay shoreline areas experience less warm-up due to persistent onshore flow. According to an update by NWS San Francisco, "If one looks at 24 hour temp trends this afternoon they'll likely see warmer temperatures across the interior as high soar into the upper 80s to 90s."
Looking ahead to Saturday, stronger high pressure is expected to reduce the presence of marine layer clouds and push temperatures upward, possibly touching 100 degrees in certain spots. Yet, as the ridge dissipates on Sunday, cooler air and a deeper marine layer make a return. NWS San Francisco notes in their forecast, "The warmer up ends by Sunday as the ridge gets shunted southward with another trough digging southwestward into CA."
As the new week approaches, higher winds contribute to concerns about fire weather, most notably in the Sacramento Valley, the Delta region, and the East Bay gaps or passes. However, no immediate need for a Wind Advisory has been communicated. "It has been noted on the previous few discussions the returning trough will usher in some stronger winds by Monday," NWS San Francisco reported.
VFR conditions are mostly expected far inland for aviation and marine interests, with some MVFR ceilings around the San Francisco Bay Area during the night and early morning. Mariners, particularly in the SF Bay north of the Bay Bridge and along the Big Sur coastline, should brace for windy afternoons and evenings, which could necessitate awareness of Small Craft Advisories.
