Bay Area residents can expect a mix of showers and the rare thunderclap today as the week rounds out on a cooler note. However, a warm-up is on the horizon for the weekend. According to the National Weather Service in San Francisco, there's a slight chance that thunderstorms could punctuate the steady drizzle throughout the day, easing these conditions by evening.
The persistent showers we've been seeing are forecasted to subside as we head into Friday afternoon and evening, leading into a relatively dry and warmer weekend, the coolness of today and yesterday briefly holding us in its grasp as we lean into the promise of an amenable Saturday and Sunday. The upswing in temperatures may be the respite we're looking for, but keep those umbrellas close, as rain could make a comeback early next week. "Rainfall chances increase again for the beginning of next week," the National Weather Service reported.
On the aviation side of this weather dance, spotty showers could make for inconsistent flying conditions until mid-morning, causing some flight adjustments. Low ceilings (CIGs) are also causing a bit of a stir. However, "Widespread VFR returns in the afternoon with scattering mid-level clouds and moderate winds," as per the NWS forecast. Nighttime brings the reduction in winds and the expected return of CIGs to the coast, so that those evening flights might be a tad gloomier.
For the San Francisco Airport in particular, the current prognosis involves "MVFR CIGs are affecting the SF Bay with some light shower activity in the area," but the hope is that by 19z, the CIGs should scatter as more moderate breezes come through to clear up the sky, per the NWS forecast. These winds are expected to calm by evening, and low clouds could start to drape back over the bay by early Saturday. Over in Monterey, a similar pattern is in place, with rain possibly sticking around until mid-morning and stratus clouds expected to make an evening curtain call for MRY.
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