The Bay Area is set to enjoy a typical summer weekend, with temperatures expected to hover close to seasonal norms and a quiet weather pattern, according to the latest National Weather Service San Francisco update. Today and Friday, the forecast indicates "near normal temperatures" with a slight uptick expected as we head into the weekend.
Although coastal fog has been sluggish to form early this Thursday morning, the holiday weekend looks promising for those with outdoor plans. The weather service report emphasized that "quiet weather for the holiday weekend" will prevail. Residents can expect the marine layer to maintain around 2000 feet with limited stratus coverage due to a weaker vertical temperature gradient than initially predicted.
As noted in the NWS San Francisco's early morning issuance, Friday mirrors today's conditions before a small shift in weather patterns brings about warmer climes for the weekend crowds. A low-amplitude ridge promises to hike temperatures marginally, with "sunny skies and light winds for our interior locations through the extended forecast."
For aviators, the immediate outlook is VFR inland with coastal stratus rolling back in place. "Coastal stratus /MVFR/ is redeveloping, inland it's VFR. Coastal stratus will mix out by late morning," the NWS brief stated. Flight operations around SFO can anticipate MVFR stratus ceilings to clear up by late morning, giving way to VFR conditions until evening. However, without warning, MVFR conditions are "forecast to return 09z Friday morning." Winds will primarily gust from the west at 5 to 10 knots, intensifying to 15 to 23 knots in the afternoon and evening.
Mariners, on the other hand, should be prepared for a change in sea conditions. While winds and seas remain relatively calm as the week approaches, the NWS forecast alerts that "seas build and fresh to strong gusts develop over the weekend." These escalating winds and seas are expected to pose "hazardous conditions across the coastal waters into the next work week," which seagoers should consider for safety.
