Bay Area/ San Jose

Foggy Start, Toasty Finish: San Jose Set To Sizzle In Mid-80s

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Published on May 11, 2026
Foggy Start, Toasty Finish: San Jose Set To Sizzle In Mid-80sSource: Terry Lucas, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

San Jose rolled in today with crisp, clear skies and temperatures hovering in the mid-50s at the airport, but the cool vibe will not last long. Forecasters expect a quick warmup, with the city climbing to around 86°F this afternoon as a thin marine layer fades away. Light to moderate northwest breezes will help keep conditions dry and stable for anyone planning to be outside.

Afternoon Warmth, Morning Fog

Low clouds and patchy fog hugging the bay are expected to lift by mid-morning, opening the door for several hours of solid sunshine for inland neighborhoods. Forecast models show temperatures pushing into the low to mid 80s by early afternoon and topping out between about 2 and 4 p.m., with northwest winds generally running 1 to 9 mph. Afternoon humidity is projected to dip into the 30 to 40 percent range, so it will feel warm but on the dry side.

Who Should Take Precautions

According to the National Weather Service, interior East Bay valleys face a moderate risk for heat-related illnesses today, although most of San Jose is expected to stay just shy of those more extreme levels. Older adults, young children, people without air conditioning, and outdoor workers are still urged to take it easy during the hottest part of the afternoon and to drink plenty of water. For information on local cooling centers and detailed heat-safety tips, head to the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Management.

Looking Ahead

After today, the ridge of high pressure shifts east and a weak coastal low slides in, bringing a slow cooldown through midweek. Tomorrow should be a touch cooler with highs near 84°F, and by Wednesday, many inland spots could dip into the low 70s. There is also a chance of light drizzle late tomorrow night into early Wednesday across the North Bay and Peninsula. By late week, conditions are expected to settle into a drier, more typical seasonal pattern.

Boaters and Commuters

Out on the water, things stay a bit rough, with choppy offshore conditions and small craft advisories posted for portions of the north and Monterey Bay waters through midweek, so boaters should plan with caution. On land, drivers may run into some early slowdowns where morning fog lingers near the waterfront, but once the sun breaks through, visibility improves, and the commute should smooth out.