Today, San Francisco starts under mostly clear skies, with inland neighborhoods expected to warm into the upper 70s to around 80°F. Much of the Bay will see plenty of sun, while coastal spots and the immediate shoreline stay cooler under patchy morning fog that should burn off by midday. The pattern flips again by midweek, when showers are expected to return. Boaters will also want to keep an eye on advisories for North Bay waters this afternoon and into tonight.
Afternoon Heat And Where It Matters
Inland areas are poised to climb into the upper 70s and low 80s, while downtown and parts of the peninsula should briefly touch around 80°F before a slight dip later in the afternoon. Skies stay sunny with lighter onshore flow early, followed by a more noticeable sea breeze late in the day. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are running above normal for late March.
Foggy Mornings, Sunny Afternoons
A southerly push of low clouds is sliding up the Monterey Bay this morning and may spread stratus into parts of the coast and peninsula before mixing out by midday. SFO and most of San Francisco are expected to remain VFR, with mostly sunny skies this afternoon, while Monterey-area terminals could see brief lower ceilings early. Some high clouds drift in later, but the day should still feel noticeably warmer than recent afternoons.
Rain Returns Tuesday Through Wednesday
Early next week, a weak trough nudges in and shifts the pattern, bringing a slight chance of rain Monday night and a higher chance of light showers Tuesday and Wednesday, with the heaviest activity over the North Bay and coastal mountains. Forecasters expect most locations to pick up only light totals, generally under a tenth of an inch, and say Wednesday currently looks like the most probable day for measurable rain. This timing and the shower chances are outlined by the National Weather Service.
Boaters Should Watch The Water
A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for parts of the North Bay coast from this afternoon into the evening, with extended advisories for offshore waters tomorrow morning. The advisory notes north to northwest winds around 10–20 kt with gusts into the mid-20s and cautions that conditions will be hazardous for small vessels, so mariners should avoid exposed trips. Full details are available in the National Weather Service marine advisory.
How To Plan Today
If you are headed inland, bring sunscreen and water to handle the early-season heat, and keep a light jacket handy for foggy stretches along the waterfront. For outdoor plans later in the week, check the latest forecasts on Tuesday before locking anything in, since shower timing may shift a bit as the system approaches.
