Swell Matrix

Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service San Francisco CA

435 am PDT Mon Sep 7 2026

Short Term

, Issued at 1259 AM PDT Mon Sep 7 2026 (Today and tonight)

Satellite imagery shows an area of stratus redeveloping along the San Mateo County coastline and some stratus development over the East Bay. Coastal water temps remain a few degrees Fahrenheit above normal, however recent northwest winds have either held sea surface temps steady or slightly edged readings 1F lower in the last 24 hours. Radiative cooling through daybreak, cooler surface to near surface air arriving from the northwest and the eventual strengthening of a lower level temperature inversion should help with at least patchy to areas of stratus and fog development.

After morning coastal stratus and fog mix out, daytime highs will warm to the 70s coastside and to the 80s and lower 90s inland.

Reminder: A Beach Hazards Statement continues from the coastal North Bay to the Big Sur coast through Monday evening.

Also, minor coastal flooding is likely within a small window of time of about 1 hour nearest high tide Labor Day (Tuesday and Wednesday as well) for bayshore locations of Marin County. Impacts will include minor flooding of the lowest lying areas directly along the shoreline. At the San Francisco tidal gauge, high tide is expected to be 0.5 ft above normal (up to 1.0 ft above MHHW) at 9:00 PM 9/7. At this time we are messaging it here and will include messaging in social media vs issuing a coastal flood advisory for Monday.

Long Term

..issued at 1259 AM PDT Mon Sep 7 2026 (Tuesday through Sunday)

Dry weather remains in the forecast. Will have to closely monitor remnant mid to high level tropical clouds that may arrive here during the week. Higher to much higher precipitable water (pw) may arrive here during the week, with 1.40" pw reaching the Bay Area according to the latest GFS model. This week's forecast of hot temperatures is dependent on strengthening of 500 mb high pressure (and compressional warming) as the current models show, however some of this strength may be in response to what happens to eventual post tropical remnants entraining into the upper low over the east Pacific. There are also hints of cool air advection returning on northwest winds late in the week. For now it's a low confidence forecast as to timing, location (and duration) as to how hot it may get here (closest to the coastline mainly) during mid- week. Will monitor model output closely for now before decision making on heat advisories. Stay tuned to the latest updates.

Aviation

(12z TAFS) Issued at 425 AM PDT Mon Sep 7 2026

Mostly clear skies across the region this morning with low clouds reported at APC and HAF. Stratus will clear by late morning with VFR through the rest of the day. Variable, lightly offshore winds are expected this morning with winds less than 6 knots. Breezy onshore winds return this afternoon/evening but will be weaker than those observed yesterday. Low confidence that stratus will return tonight given the marine layer struggling to rebuild/remaining compressed below 500 ft.

Vicinity of SFO, VFR through the TAF period. Breezy onshore winds to around 16 knots are expected this afternoon/evening before winds ease overnight. Variable, lightly offshore winds are possible this morning and again tomorrow morning.

SFO Bridge Approach, Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals, VFR with a low potential for stratus to expand into SNS temporarily this morning. Any clouds that do develop along the Monterey Peninsula will clear by mid to late morning with VFR through the rest of the TAF period. Stratus is unlikely to impact MRY/SNS before 12Z tomorrow morning. Breezy onshore winds during the afternoon/evening with light, offshore winds overnight.

Marine

(today through Saturday) Issued at 425 AM PDT Mon Sep 7 2026

Moderate to fresh northwest breezes with strong gusts decrease across the coastal waters today becoming more moderate. Northwest winds gradually diminish to gentle to moderate by Monday night which then prevails through the remainder of the week. Winds look to increase late this week into the weekend. A long period southerly swell induced by distant tropical cyclone activity in the East Pacific prevails into next week.

Beaches

Issued at 1213 AM PDT Mon Sep 7 2026

A Beach Hazards Statement is in effect through Labor Day. Moderate to long period swell will increase the chance for sneaker waves, since there are 2 different sets of southerly swell, and their energy will periodically combine. In addition to sneaker waves, expect strong rip currents and breaking waves up to 10 ft. As this is a holiday weekend and the weather is otherwise pretty nice, the exposure to the risk is high. Avoid the water if you're not an expert swimmer. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore until you stop feeling the pull. Even on the beach, be prepared for sneaker waves this weekend and never turn your back on the ocean.

Watches, Warnings, Advisories

Ca, Beach Hazards Statement through this evening for CAZ006-505-509- 529-530.

PZ, Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PDT this morning for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.

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