A week of fluctuating weather patterns is on the horizon. According to the National Weather Service in San Francisco, foggy mornings and potentially gusty winds are set to characterize the next few days. Those living across the Bay Area Valleys and around Monterey may need to navigate through morning fog, while residents in the higher terrain of the North Bay can expect stronger winds on Saturday.
High-resolution models suggest that the fog will stubbornly hang around longer than usual today, initially reducing visibility and cooling temperatures by a very slight amount. However, a ridge moving into the area is expected to quickly disperse the clouds later in the day. For now, the sticky marine layer is expected to return tonight, particularly in fog-prone valleys like Sonoma County and the Salinas Valley. Into Saturday, the highs in these areas may climb a touch as the clouds and fog are predicted to recede quicker than usual.
According to the National Weather Service in San Francisco, local gusts could reach around 50 mph on some North Bay peaks on Saturday, potentially leading to "fire weather concerns" as humidity drops below 20% at higher elevations. The winds, however, are expected to die down by nightfall, with high clouds moving in by Sunday afternoon, hinting at a cooler start to the week.
As the week rolls on, weather patterns are not bound to settle down, with the potential for a weak to moderate storm system by mid-week. Models are tossing up different scenarios, but as of now, chances for widespread moderate rains look plausible. Admittedly, not all models, such as the GFS, are in agreement, with some suggesting the incoming moisture could be shunted to the north. Trying to pin down an exact forecast this far out just might prove to be a meteorological balancing act.
Meanwhile, mariners should exercise caution: the Marine forecast signals strong northerlies and near gale force gusts, with seas building to 8-12 feet through early Saturday in northwest waters. But with the weekend poised to bring improved conditions, sailors can look forward to gentler breezes and more manageable seas.
For Bay Area dwellers, it's a typical week of capricious coastal climes: peel away the fog to find the sun, hold your hat when the winds howl, and have an umbrella at the ready, because, well, this is Northern California weather we're talking about.
