San Francisco is waking up to a cool, gray start today with temperatures parked in the mid‑50s along the shoreline and patches of marine fog hanging on. Inland neighborhoods should shake off the clouds by midday and climb to around 66°F, but oceanfront spots will stay risky, thanks to a long‑period southerly swell that is capable of kicking up sneaker waves and strong rip currents through Wednesday afternoon.
Beach Hazards Through Wednesday
The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazards Statement and is warning of sneaker waves and strong rip currents. The advice is straightforward: stay off jetties, piers and rocks, and keep out of the water, especially at south- and southwest-facing beaches, according to the National Weather Service. The combination of long‑period southerly swell and above‑normal late‑night tides can send waves farther up the sand than expected and lead to localized erosion, so extra caution near the shoreline is the name of the game.
Foggy Mornings, Sunny Afternoons
Through midweek, a compressed marine layer will keep things socked in at the coast and in some sheltered valleys during the morning before skies open up to mostly sunny for most neighborhoods later in the day. A light west‑southwest breeze of about 5–12 mph will accompany afternoon highs near 66°F in the city, with spots farther inland running warmer.
Late‑Week Wind And A Cool Down
Later this week, an upper‑level trough starts to move in, flipping the switch to breezier conditions and a cooling trend from Friday into Saturday. Gusts could reach 30–40+ mph over exposed ridgelines and through gaps, particularly outside the city. Seas are expected to stay moderate through tomorrow, but the persistent long‑period swell may keep hazardous surf conditions lingering into the weekend.
What To Bring And Where To Go
If you are heading for the coast, bring a jacket and a healthy respect for the water. Skip the rocks, jetties and piers, since sneaker waves can knock people off balance and drag them into the surf with little to no warning.
