San Francisco rolled in today under cool, mostly cloudy skies, with waterfront temperatures hovering around 56°F and inland highs expected to top out near 69°F. The bigger story is not overhead but at our feet: a Coastal Flood Advisory and a Beach Hazards Statement are in place through Thursday, with late-night high tides and sneaker waves posing the greatest threat to low-lying bayshore areas.
What To Expect This Week
According to the National Weather Service San Francisco, both the Coastal Flood Advisory and Beach Hazards Statement remain in effect through Thursday. High tides are forecast to peak about 1.8 feet above normal at 12:02 AM tomorrow, 1.7 feet above normal at 12:56 AM on Wednesday, and roughly 1.2 feet above normal at 1:51 AM on Thursday. The agency notes that the San Francisco tide gauge reached about 7.81 feet late Sunday, the highest summer-season reading on record, and that long-period southerly swell is amplifying the risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents. Low-lying parking lots, waterfront parks and some bayside roads could see minor flooding at peak tides, and isolated road closures are on the table if water creeps over the edges.
Shoreline Safety
If you are planning any waterfront time this week, give the ocean extra space. Stay well landward of the high-tide line, skip jetties and piers, and never turn your back on the surf. Our earlier look at these vulnerable spots highlighted the same trouble zones, including the Embarcadero, Bayshore and low-lying waterfront parks, and local officials are again urging people to respect posted closures and budget extra travel time if you must drive near the shore.
Afternoon Temperatures And Commute
After a gray, foggy start, sunshine should break through inland by late morning, with west-southwest winds around 3 to 12 mph and gusts near 18 mph in more exposed neighborhoods. Daytime highs will land in the upper 60s to low 70s for much of San Francisco through midweek, while interior valleys warm into the 80s. Anyone sensitive to heat should pace outdoor activity, take breaks and stay hydrated. Commuters using bayside routes should keep an eye out for possible late-night delays around peak tides and follow any barricades or detours that go up.
Bottom line: keep tabs on those overnight tides tomorrow night and Wednesday night, and keep a safe distance from the surf. For the latest tide times and hazard updates, check the National Weather Service and follow local closure notices before you head for the shoreline.
