Issued at 944 AM PDT Wed Aug 19 2026
The forecast looks to be on track this morning as the marine layer slowly pulls back to the coast. If the trend continues we should see high temperatures similar to yesterday. Interior valley temps will range from the 80s to low 90s for the majority of the region, though the upper 90s to near 100 are expected for the southern Salinas Valley and around Fort Hunter Liggett. The higher elevations for the interior mountains will be warmer as well, with temps generally in the upper 80s to near 100. And for those in along the coast and near the Bay, temps will range from the 60s to low 80s.
, Issued at 1201 AM PDT Wed Aug 19 2026 (Today and tonight)
A slightly more shallow marine layer tonight resulted in a somewhat later onset of stratus pushing inland with less extensive coverage than what was seen last night into early Tuesday morning. Another mild overnight into early this morning should result in stratus retreating back to the coast an hour or two sooner than we generally see this time of year. Todays warmup will barely be noticeable for areas below 1000ft away from the coast, with temperatures at higher elevations across the East Bay Hills and Santa Lucias including Big Sur and the Timber fire, running 10 degrees or more above normal. MinRH values will be in the teens this afternoon across those elevated locations, fortunately light winds continue to be a mitigating factor. The weak fetch of offshore flow above the marine layer over the southern Central Coast will shift late tonight with improved RH recovery expected into early Thursday, along with an increase in the marine layer depth.
..issued at 1201 AM PDT Wed Aug 19 2026 (Thursday through Tuesday)
Troughing persists through the extended forecast with gradually cooling setting in on Thursday and continuing through the weekend into next week. The persistent ridging to our east increases to near 600dm by the middle of next week, while continuing steer at least a couple of tropical waves around its perimeter well to our south. The potential tropical system still depicted beyond the official forecast period still appears to offer little impact for our area while we will continue to monitor any mid-level moisture advection.
(18z TAFS) Issued at 1027 AM PDT Wed Aug 19 2026
A mix of IFR/MVFR conditions this morning with high confidence of stratus to retreat to the coastline late this morning and more so by this afternoon. This will give way to VFR conditions this afternoon across inland TAF sites. Increasing onshore flow will persist throughout the afternoon and early evening hours before diminishing late evening. Stratus and reduced visibilities return first around the Monterey Bay terminals and then across the Bay Area terminals late in the night and into Thursday morning.
Vicinity of SFO, VFR. Onshore winds increase this afternoon with gusts up to 25 kt through the early evening. Low to moderate confidence in the return of stratus tonight with some models suggesting the low cloud cover will remain confined over OAK. However, opted for IFR/MVFR ceilings over the terminal due to persistence and LAMP guidance. However, this will need to be monitored closely throughout the night. Onshore winds increase Thursday afternoon with similar clearing time as today if not a bit earlier.
SFO Bridge Approach, Low to moderate confidence for MVFR ceilings to return early Thursday morning. Otherwise, similar to SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals, IFR, giving way to VFR by late morning into early afternoon. Onshore winds increase this afternoon with moderate to high confidence of IFR conditions returning late this evening and lowering to LIFR late in the night.
(today through Monday) Issued at 944 AM PDT Wed Aug 19 2026
Locally strong northwesterly breezes across the northern outer waters and along the coastal jet regions will bring hazardous conditions for small craft periodically through the weekend. Breezy fresh winds are expected across the San Pablo Bay and the San Francisco Bay with locally stronger gusts possible where terrain promotes wind funneling. Rough seas in the outer waters will subside Thursday with moderate seas prevailing by Friday.
Ca, None. PZ, Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 3 AM PDT Thursday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.
Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 3 PM PDT Thursday for Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.
Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Thursday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.
