, Issued at 1200 PM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026 (This evening through Monday night)
Another day, another Otter Eddy keeping the stratus in place over Monterey Bay and the immediately adjacent coastline. Clearing is expected through the next couple of hours with the stratus returning to the immediate coastal regions south of the Golden Gate and into the Salinas Valley tonight.
The high pressure system centered over the Desert Southwest and extending over California persists, with a trough deflected to the north around the Pacific Northwest and western Canada, and widespread temperatures above the seasonal averages continue today. Highs today range from the lower 90s to the triple digits in the inland valleys today, with warm spots in the far interior North Bay, the eastern part of Contra Costa County, and southern Monterey and San Benito Counties seeing highs up to 105 or 107. Elsewhere, highs along the bays range from the middle 70s to the middle 80s, while the Pacific coast hovers in the middle 60s to lower 70s. On Monday, morning lows range from the middle 50s to lower 60s in the lower elevations, to the middle 60s to the lower 70s in the higher elevations, and expect highs to be broadly similar to today's, with the most notable change being a couple degrees of cooling over southern Monterey County.
A rather strong north-south pressure gradient is resulting in gale- force wind gusts across the coastal waters, but the orientation of the winds remains generally parallel to the coast, so the strongest winds are not expected to migrate inland. Breezy and gusty winds are expected to develop in the afternoon and evening hours with gusts reaching 20 to 25 mph at the coast, through gaps and passes, and along the ridgelines. Tonight into Monday morning, some offshore winds are possible as the trough moves into the northern Rockies, bringing us a quasi-inside slider pattern overnight. The expected gusts of 15 to 20 mph aren't strong enough to issue a Wind Advisory, but they are contributing to near-critical fire weather concerns across the Bay Area, especially in the interior regions. See the FIRE WEATHER section for more details. One less spark, one less fire!
Widespread Moderate HeatRisk persists across the interior regions into Monday with patches of Moderate HeatRisk persisting into the rest of the week. This corresponds to a moderate risk for heat related illnesses for sensitive populations, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions, and people who work or live outdoors without adequate shelter or hydration. Some patches of Major HeatRisk, corresponding to a more widespread risk for heat-related illnesses, are also expected in the warmest parts of the interior Central Coast. Follow these tips to avoid heat-related illnesses:
* Stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids. * Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. * Reduce time spent outdoors or stay in the shade. * Never leave people or pets unattended in vehicles. * Use sunscreen if going to the coast or the pool.
..issued at 1200 PM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026 (Tuesday through next Saturday)
Subtle cooling is possible on Tuesday and Wednesday if onshore flow is able to rebuild as the high begins to redevelop. One of the big questions is how quickly the ridge can rebuild over California and the Great Basin in the wake of the trough's passage. The models are currently showing a slower rebuilding of the high pressure system heading into Wednesday, which corresponds to highs around the middle 80s to middle 90s in the inland valleys, but if the high builds faster than anticipated, these temperatures may need to be bumped up a few degrees.
In any case, the high pressure system should be redeveloped by the latter part of the week, causing temperatures to rise again. Heat Advisories may be necessary later this week into the upcoming weekend, assuming the current forecast trends continue.
(18z TAFS) Issued at 1123 AM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026
Widespread VFR conditions as the last bit of stratus scatters out. Gentle to moderate onshore winds around 10-15 kt prevail through the afternoon and ease overnight. There is some degree of uncertainty regarding wind direction after sunset for terminals south of the Golden Gate. As the weak upper level trough travels eastward, it squashes the high pressure centered over the southwest resulting in a weak southwesterly flow over our region. Winds may become variable overnight, but should remain light around 4-8 kt. The compressed marine layer returns around 08-10Z Monday with high confidence in IFR ceilings at HAF, MRY, and SNS. Everywhere else should remain VFR through the TAF period with some SCT cloud decks.
Vicinity of SFO, VFR through the TAF period with medium to high confidence. Westerly winds increase to 12-18 kt through the afternoon and decrease to around 8-10 kt by sunset. As stated above, winds may become variable and gentle overnight. The marine layer should remain confined to the coastline overnight with low confidence on IFR ceilings at OAK and SFO.
SFO Bridge Approach, Similar to SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals, Northwest winds increase around 20-21Z and ease by sunset while becoming variable overnight. Anticipate a delayed arrival of IFR ceilings around 08-10Z Monday that will persist through 17-18Z. The compressed marine layer also brings the potential for coastal fog and drizzle which will impact visibility.
(today through Friday) Issued at 909 AM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026
Northwest winds remain strong to near gale today and diminish to moderate by Monday night. Northern waters continue to have frequent gale force gusts into early Monday morning. Wind driven rough to very rough seas (9-15 feet) hang on through Tuesday morning while gradually subsiding to moderate (4-8 feet) through Friday.
Ca, None. PZ, Gale Warning until 9 PM PDT this evening for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.
Gale Warning until 3 AM PDT Monday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10- 60 NM.
Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Monday for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM.
