, Issued at 1249 PM PDT Mon Mar 30 2026 (This evening through Tuesday)
The much anticipated pattern change is underway as seen with mid-to- high level clouds streaming in from a surface low pressure system in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Cloudy and relatively cooler conditions, albeit still above average, can be the sensible weather expected today. The moisture fetch from the aforementioned low is coming from the tropics and will arrive tomorrow. While this may sound juicy, it will still have a dry atmosphere to overcome with little help from weak forcing. As such, light rain showers will produce little accumulation with the Big Sur Coast and Santa Cruz Mountains receiving relatively higher totals with the help of orographic lift.
..issued at 1249 PM PDT Mon Mar 30 2026 (Tuesday night through next Sunday)
The best chance for rain is Wednesday as a gale force low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska heads to the Washington/Canada border. This system will have better support from surface to jet stream and will give us a true frontal passage. Beneficial, light rainfall is expected Wednesday into early Thursday morning. Slick roadways will be possible coming off a four week dry streak, especially in the North Bay given that the trajectory of this system being northwest to southeast. When all is said and done, rainfall totals from Tuesday to Thursday are expected to amount up to 0.25" with up to 0.50" possible in the higher terrain of the North Bay. The Interior Central Coast, Interior East Bay Valleys, and Santa Clara Valley will see a few hundredths at most. Moderate southwesterly winds ahead of the cold front will increase and back to become northwesterly in the post-frontal environment. Gusts of 20-30 mph can be expected with gusts up to 40 mph in the higher terrain. Upper- level shortwave ridging nosing in from the Eastern Pacific Ocean will tighten the pressure gradient and result in northerly (drying) winds on Thursday. As the ridge moves inland Friday, winds will further increase and veer to become offshore. Impactful winds are not expected except in the highest terrain. Upper-level longwave ridging will move in over the weekend, sending temperatures back up to well above normal.
(06z TAFS) Issued at 952 PM PDT Mon Mar 30 2026
VFR is expected to prevail through the forecast period. However, a southern surge of stratus up the Big Sur coast line may impact the Monterey Bay terminals overnight into early Tuesday morning. Slight chance of stratus in vicinity of the Bay Area terminals closer to sunrise Tuesday morning, with confidence too low for mentioning in the TAF.
Vicinity of SFO, VFR is expected to prevail through the TAF period with a slight chance of low stratus developing near sunrise. Mostly light and variable winds overnight will become breezy out of the southwest Tuesday afternoon.
SFO Bridge Approach, Similar as SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals, VFR is expected to prevail at KSNS through the TAF period, however KMRY may hover between IFR/VFR with cigs from a southern surges that moved up the Big Sur coastline today. Once clouds clear Tuesday morning, expect VFR the remainder of the day.
(tonight through next Sunday) Issued at 952 PM PDT Mon Mar 30 2026
Moderate seas through Wednesday will build and become very rough Thursday and Friday. Fresh southwesterly breezes will develop overnight and persist Tuesday and Wednesday out ahead of a cold front. Behind the cold front, winds will become strong out of the north creating hazardous condition Thursday and Friday.
Ca, None. PZ, None.
