San Jose is rolling in today with mostly clear skies and a brisk start, with temperatures in the low 50s at Mineta San José International Airport early this morning. Sunshine should bump inland highs to about 71°F this afternoon, but a north-northwest breeze will keep exposed bridges and hilltops feeling downright blustery. If you are planning to be outside, keep one eye on the sky and the other on the forecast, since marine and wind impacts are possible this afternoon and into the evening.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
North-northwest winds will crank up through the afternoon, generally 5 to 14 mph with gusts up to around 25 mph and the strongest bursts over ridgelines and through mountain gaps. Some higher peaks could briefly see stronger gusts, while valley floors are more likely to get short, blustery bursts instead of long stretches of high wind. The National Weather Service is calling for the same setup, with highs near 71°F, gusty offshore flow today into early Friday, and marine advisories offshore, so check the latest updates from NWS San Francisco.
What We Covered Earlier
We flagged the start of this warm-up in foggy chill before sunshine; today's update sharpens the timing and nudges some inland highs a few degrees warmer than earlier in the week. If you read that earlier item, think of today as the crest of the warm, offshore flow before the pattern turns cooler late this weekend.
Boaters and Commute
Small craft advisories are in effect for parts of Monterey Bay this afternoon into the evening, and outer waters could build to 10 to 12 foot seas, conditions that can make trips risky for small or open boats. Drivers on exposed bridges and cyclists should be ready for sudden gusts, and it is a good day to secure patio furniture and any lightweight items that could sail away in the breeze. If you plan to head out on the water, favor sheltered harbors and keep a close watch on local marine forecasts before launching.
Weekend Outlook
Tomorrow and Saturday are likely to be the warmest days of this stretch, with inland highs climbing into the mid 70s and generally lighter winds, which should line up nicely with outdoor plans. A pattern change starts to take shape late Sunday into early next week, bringing cooler temperatures and an increasing chance of beneficial rain Sunday night into Tuesday, so keep tabs on forecasts if you have outdoor evening plans on Sunday.
Quick Tips
Secure loose outdoor items, allow extra time for commutes this afternoon, and file a float plan if you are boating. We will update this post if advisories or timing change.
