San Francisco rolls into the day with mild, mostly sunny weather on tap today, with afternoon highs near 62°F, and an early low around 50°F after a brief chance of light rain before 4 a.m. The sunshine should hang around through Friday, setting up a pleasant stretch for neighborhood strolls and park time. Out at the ocean, though, it is a different script, with hazardous surf expected to ramp up Thursday evening.
Afternoon Sunshine, Quiet Commute
Skies stay mostly sunny through the afternoon, with light north to northeast breezes around 5 to 7 mph and temperatures topping out in the low 60s across the city. As skies clear overnight, some of the usual low-lying spots may see patchy fog, so pre-dawn commuters in fog-prone neighborhoods might want a little extra time. Winds stay gentle into Friday, which should make it an easy day for errands, dog walks, and outdoor workouts.
Dangerous Surf And Beach Hazards
The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazards Statement for northwest-facing Pacific Coast beaches from Thursday evening through late Friday night, calling for 14 to 19-foot breaking waves along with a heightened risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents. Forecasters are not sugarcoating it, urging people to stay off jetties, piers, and rocks and to "NEVER turn your back on the ocean." If you were eyeing a shoreline walk, this is a good time to swap it for inland parks and scenic overlooks instead. Earlier surf concerns were detailed in our report on killer waves lurking offshore.
Practical Tips
Residents near the bayshore should move vehicles out of low-lying parking lots ahead of high tides and keep children and pets well away from the waterline. Boaters and ferry riders can expect rougher seas and should follow any Small Craft Advisories offshore. If there is any doubt, hold off on open-water trips until conditions settle. Checking tide tables and local operator notices before you head out is a smart move.
Rain Returns Saturday Night Into Next Week
The dry stretch looks short-lived as a deeper Pacific system approaches, with rain likely returning Saturday afternoon or evening, February 14, and continuing into next week. The National Weather Service discussion points to several rounds of accumulating rain and warns that coastal ranges could see locally higher totals along with gusty winds from Sunday into midweek. That combination could spell flood and commute headaches, so anyone with outdoor plans for the Valentine’s Day weekend and beyond should keep tabs on updated forecasts.
