San Francisco woke up today to mild, mostly clear skies in the upper 50s and is now marching toward its warmest day of the week, with many inland neighborhoods expected to climb into the low to mid 80s this afternoon. Closer to the coast and along the bay, things stay noticeably cooler in the 60s, helped along by only light winds near the water.
Afternoon Heat
Most of the city is on track for highs near 84°F, then a gradual slide back into the upper 70s late in the afternoon as the sea breeze slowly works its way inland. Winds should stay light, generally around 2 to 7 mph, so the warmth will build steadily rather than arriving in sudden gusts. A few interior valleys and higher hills could briefly nudge toward 90°F, so if you are heading away from the immediate coast, plan for it to feel a bit hotter than your usual San Francisco spring day.
Marine Layer, Monday Cooldown and Midweek Rain
The ridge responsible for today’s warmth is expected to shift east overnight, opening the door for cooler onshore flow and the return of the marine layer. Low clouds and patchy fog are likely to return by tomorrow, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to upper-60s. Clouds look to thicken again by midweek as a weak low approaches, bringing a slight chance of showers on Wednesday, April 8. The best shot at measurable light rain arrives late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, April 9.
Rain totals are expected to stay on the lighter side, mostly in the range of a few hundredths of an inch to a few tenths of an inch, with the highest amounts favored over the Santa Cruz Mountains and Big Sur peaks. Forecasters note that timing and amounts could still shift as the system evolves, according to the National Weather Service.
What This Means For Your Commute
Low clouds and reduced visibility are likely to return for tomorrow morning commute. San Francisco International Airport and nearby approach routes could see ceilings around 1,000 feet during the Monday morning rush. For midweek outdoor plans, a light jacket and a compact umbrella are smart to have on hand. Showers should generally be light but may briefly slick up streets and sidewalks.
Ferry riders and small boat operators will want to keep an eye on carrier notices and marine updates in the middle of the week, as winds and seas may stiffen in more exposed waters.
Where To Cool Off
Even with rain chances returning later in the week, today’s warm afternoon can get uncomfortable indoors, especially in buildings without air conditioning. The city maintains an extreme heat resources page and a cooling center map to help residents find air-conditioned spaces when the temperatures spike.
No watches, warnings or advisories are in effect for the city as of Sunday morning. Travelers should continue to check the National Weather Service and their local carrier for updates later in the week in case the timing of the system or any advisories change.
