With a Beach Hazards Statement in effect, Bay Area beachgoers are being warned of dangerous conditions along the Pacific Coast. According to the National Weather Service in San Francisco, the public should expect an increased risk of sneaker waves and rip currents with breaking waves reaching 12 to 16 feet. The statement, effective from Wednesday morning through Friday evening, advises against turning one's back on the ocean and staying off waterside infrastructure.
In addition to the coastal risks, a Dense Fog Advisory has shrouded parts of the region in thick fog, impacting visibility especially in the North Bay Interior Valleys, East Bay Interior Valleys, and the Santa Clara Valley. Commuters faced visibility of less than a quarter-mile in some places, posing dangers on the road. Meanwhile, areas like Half Moon Bay enjoyed a sunny 72 degrees, whereas San Rafael, masked in fog, only hit 48 degrees.
The Area Forecast Discussion adds, "The stratus looks like it will be slightly less expansive and the South Bay will be the biggest benefactor of this change." The forecast suggests persistence in the range of maximum temperatures seen across the Bay Area, with a gradual shift away from the current dry period to a wetter pattern anticipated next week.
For those travelling by air, Tule fog continues to blanket parts of the region, affecting several airports with ceiling and visibility impacts through the morning. "All terminals should clear in the afternoon with a similar timing as seen yesterday," states the Area Forecast Discussion. On the marine front, gentle northeast winds are shifting southerly with moderately rough seas expected to subside, giving way to calmer waters over the weekend.
