, Issued at 1004 AM PDT Sun May 3 2026 (This afternoon through Monday)
It's a cloudy morning across the Bay Area and Central Coast with the stratus deck extending far inland, with a strong upper level low moving over the region allowing for remarkable expansion of the marine layer, to the point where it no longer makes sense to talk about a marine layer depth. KMUX radar returns are also showing light rain showers and drizzle across the San Mateo Peninsula, parts of Santa Clara County, and the Monterey Bay region, with the potential for additional drizzle where the radar beam is overshooting the low level processes, such as the North Bay and southern Monterey County. Drizzle chances diminish after around 1 PM, and some breaks in the clouds may develop across the inland regions this afternoon, but this is a lower confidence forecast. Have decreased the high temperature forecast across the region in light of the potential for continued cloudiness through the day. Highs in the lower to middle 60s are expected in the Bay Area interior valleys, the lower to middle 70s in the southern Salinas Valley, and the middle 50s to lower 60s along the coast and Bays. Conditions are broadly similar on Monday as the upper level low moves over the state, with additional cooling expected in the southern parts of Monterey County as highs reach the middle to upper 60s.
A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect through 11 PM this evening due to long period northwesterly swell, an increasing risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents. See the BEACHES section for more information.
..issued at 1004 AM PDT Sun May 3 2026 (Monday night through next Saturday)
The upper level low continues to move across California through Tuesday, resulting in a continuation of the cool temperatures, extensive stratus decks, and a slight chance for light rain and drizzle across the region, but mainly at the coast and within topographically favored locations. The latest model output shows the low descending into southern California, allowing for a band of moisture to wrap around the low and bring some wetting rains to the North Bay Monday night into Tuesday morning. The current forecast shows rain totals of up to a quarter of an inch in the interior regions of the North Bay with totals a few hundredths of an inch closer to the coast and extending into the Bay Area. Of note, high resolution model output continues to show the possibility of higher rain totals, up to around half an inch in the North Bay, which might be possible if there are some particularly strong showers across the rain band. Flooding concerns remain minimal and focused on areas of exceptionally poor drainage or where drainage pipes are blocked or clogged.
By Wednesday, the upper level low moves into the Great Basin and southern Rockies with ridging building back behind it, leading to a warming and drying trend in the region with highs rising to the 70s and 80s inland. The CPC extended outlook shows that temperatures above the seasonal averages are likely to persist through the middle of May, while precipitation totals lean below the seasonal average. For context, the seasonal average high in downtown San Francisco is around 64 degrees, while the seasonal average precipitation total for the May 10 to 16 period, as covered in the CPC 8-14 day outlook, falls a shade under two tenths of an inch for the same station.
(06z TAFS) Issued at 933 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026
Not much of a discernible marine layer per SE, but definitely a SCT to BKN cloud deck forming over the nearby terrain with some impacts to terminals. Tonight through early Monday will keep mainly VFR CIGs with heights in the 3000-5000 ft range. Tomorrow is a tricky day as moisture to the east streams west increasing chc for precip and lower CIGs. Precip initially likely over the N Bay and then spreading S to SF Bay. Farther south than that is outside of the TAF period. Overall conf is medium.
Vicinity of SFO, VFR CIGs looking more likely through much of Monday. Late Monday into Tuesday precip chc increase with MVFR CIGs.
SFO Bridge Approach, Similar to SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals, MVFR CIGs slowly developing around the peninsula. Will have a better shot filling later in the night.
(tonight through next Saturday) Issued at 933 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026
Light to gentle breezes over the waters as a weak disturbance moves through the region. The longer period swell that arrive Sunday will continue to diminish through Monday. Northerly winds and seas will begin to increase Thursday and into next weekend.
Ca, Beach Hazards Statement until 11 PM PDT this evening for CAZ006- 505-509-529-530.
PZ, None.
