San Francisco gets a brief weather break today, with a mild, mostly sunny day on tap. Afternoon highs are expected to reach near 61°F, with morning lows around 49°F and light west-southwest breezes keeping things comfortable. It is the last fully dry day before a multi-day stretch of wet weather moves in late this weekend. Some patchy morning fog could cling to low-lying valleys, but overall it is a solid window for outdoor plans, especially if you can knock out errands today or early Saturday.
Afternoon Winds And Nighttime Cool Down
Through this afternoon, look for mostly sunny skies and that high near 61°F, slipping into the upper 50s by late day as west-southwest winds increase to around 2–9 mph. After sunset, clouds will thicken, turning skies mostly cloudy with lows dipping to about 48–49°F and only light breezes. A developing marine layer may throw in some patchy low clouds near the shoreline during the evening. This is effectively the final mostly dry stretch before rain returns tomorrow night.
Coastal Hazards And Rough Seas
A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect for northwest-facing Pacific Coast beaches through early Saturday, until 4 a.m. local time. Forecasters are calling out the risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents, with breaking waves reaching 14–19 feet. Officials advise staying off jetties, piers, and rocks and avoiding the water altogether during the advisory, since even seemingly calm surf can hide dangerous sneaker waves. Ferry riders should be ready for choppy rides, and mariners are urged to follow small-craft advisories as seas build into the weekend. You can check the full advisory details via KION.
Rain Returns Late Saturday And Persists
Rain is expected to push back into the Bay Area tomorrow, with steadier and heavier bands setting up next Sunday and hanging on through much of next week. The National Weather Service is tracking several rounds of precipitation that could stack up to multiple inches regionwide. Current projections call for widespread valley totals of 3–5 inches, with coastal mountain ranges picking up 4–6 inches as soils become increasingly saturated. Southerly winds should ramp up Sunday through Tuesday, with gusts in the 30–40 mph range possible, and forecasters note that a Wind Advisory may be needed for exposed coastal and higher terrain. For updated timing and neighborhood-level details, see the latest forecast from the NWS San Francisco.
What To Do Before The Rain
With the showers lining up, today and Saturday morning are the times to prep. Clear out gutters, secure or store patio furniture, and pull potted plants indoors before the wet pattern settles in. Once the rain starts, allow extra travel time, steer clear of driving through standing water, and keep an eye on pets and vulnerable neighbors when overnight temperatures dip. If a coastal trip is on your agenda, stay well back from the water and follow posted warnings. When surf is running high, the safest move is to admire the waves from a distance and stay off the shoreline entirely.
