As the fog rolls into the Bay Area, the National Weather Service in San Francisco forecasts a typical summer pattern with a few twists. Commuters may have noticed the coastal drizzle this morning courtesy of a deep marine layer, as reported in an early morning update. With temperatures set to rise slightly through Friday, you won't need to bundle up too much before they dip again over the weekend.
For those planning on hitting the beach or sailing, be prepared for a brisk time as strong northwest winds are expected along the coast, spreading inland by Friday. According to the National Weather Service, "gusts reaching up to 25 mph along the coast and in N-S oriented valleys," will make their presence known. While the wind may cool things down, it's not stopping the mercury from creeping up to seasonal norms by Friday afternoon.
In a longer-term outlook, the high pressure over Northern California seems determined to stick around Friday, maintaining those invigorating northwest winds. The silver lining is that less cloud coverage is predicted for Friday morning. If you're eager for the temperatures to climb back into their usual range, the NWS San Francisco suggests a slight warming trend could be en route as we head into the work week, with the 4-corners high potentially nudging westward.
Aviation-wise, travelers can anticipate a mixed bag with a marine layer sitting at about 1,400 feet, but high confidence in VFR through the afternoon, with less than a 40% chance for sub-VFR ceilings to return, promises the NWS. For those with flights in and out of SFO, expect westerly flow and perhaps some delays or rerouting around the coastal drizzle. Meanwhile, pilots flying into Monterey Bay should brace for IFR conditions with a chance of improvement later in the day.
The NWS maritime advisory points to "widespread hazardous conditions" lasting through Saturday, especially for our gusty friends along the Point Reyes and Point Sur coastal jet regions. Small craft advisories and even gale warnings have been hoisted, signaling choppy waters ahead for mariners. As the winds taper off towards the end of the weekend, boaters might finally see calmer seas – a small consolation after wrestling with the winds.
