FXUS66 KMTR 241744
AFDMTR
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
944 AM PST Sat Jan 24 2026
...New AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 326 AM PST Sat Jan 24 2026
- Gusty offshore winds across higher terrain of the North Bay and
East Bay through late tonight
- Morning fog across some Bay Area Valleys, that clears in the
mid morning
- Potential weak storm system in the middle of the next work week
&&
.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 326 AM PST Sat Jan 24 2026
(Today and tonight)
Winds along the higher peaks in the North Bay became strong early on
into the night and these winds will begin to spread aloft across the
region further into the morning. Meanwhile, winds at the surface are
just about still, which has allowed formation of fog and low clouds.
The increased offshore flow aloft will introduce drier air through
the morning, with some of the surface moisture being chipped away as
the column of air mixes.
This will lead to quicker clearing of skies than previous days.
Short-term high-resolution models show a quick clearing of most of
the area by the mid morning as the dry flow continues to build in.
The clearer skies will allow for temperatures in lower elevations to
see high temperatures around 5 degrees or so warmer than yesterday
(widespread lower 60s). Winds in the higher elevations and aloft
will stay on the stronger side, but the potential for that wind to
make it into the lower elevations is poor.
Winds look to reduce into the night, but the dry air remains,
leading to clear skies, but cooler low temperatures. Sunday night
offers lows in the 40s and 50s along the coast, but upper 30s and
lower 40s for the more inland areas. The more interior areas could
see lows into the mid 30s, and a few localized spots in the lower
30s.
&&
.LONG TERM...
Issued at 326 AM PST Sat Jan 24 2026
(Sunday through Friday)
The offshore flow turns back to weak onshore flow further into
Sunday, but another ridge forms in the jet stream into late Monday
and Tuesday. Temperatures will see some light reductions and
increases through this quick change, but nothing extreme. This will
also make marine layer, low cloud, and fog forecasting interesting
into the next work week as the pressure falls and rises. Another
element to consider will be the return of high clouds Sunday and
into the work week, which could complicate overnight cooling and fog
development. Fun for our aviation forecasters!
The mid week forecast still is a matter of the GFS vs every other
model. The GFS has the ridge strengthen and places the approaching
cold front and low pressure well to the north, continuing our dry
trend. Other models just have the ridge push east as the front and
low move into the area, leading to widespread light rain chances
into Wednesday. The GFS output doesn't look like a typical mid-
winter set up, so there is a lot of doubt there. The official
forecast leans on the ECMWF's pattern, which would lead to light
rain early Wednesday through mid Thursday.
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 943 AM PST Sat Jan 24 2026
Satellite imagery this morning is drastically different
compared to yesterday, as many areas have clear skies. Stratus and
fog lingers in some North Bay Valleys and across the interior
Central Coast, with the North Bay clearing in a couple of hours.
South, the stratus looks bit thicker so it may take a little while
longer to clear, though once it does VFR conditions should prevail
across the region. Opted to go a bit more pessimistic for KSTS and
have IFR conditions return. LIFR is possible, but opted to not go
from VFR to LIFR in the TAF cycle since only the MOS and some hi-
res guidance supports this. These models also show some reduced vis
in KAPC tonight; however, offshore winds should be stronger there
and keep fog at bay.
Vicinity of SFO...Stratus has cleared, leaving SFO with VFR
conditions for the TAF cycle. Winds should switch to the north-
northeast by late morning or early afternoon, and then become
offshore overnight.
SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals...Clear skies and VFR conditions will
prevail. Winds of around 5-10kt will eventually become onshore today
for a brief period, with offshore winds returning tonight.
&&
.MARINE...
(Today through Thursday)
Issued at 326 AM PST Sat Jan 24 2026
Moderate to fresh northerly breezes today and tonight. Wave
heights continue to subside today. Improving wind and sea
conditions will persist through the weekend to mid next week.
&&
.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...None.
PZ...None.
&&
$$
SHORT TERM...Murdock
LONG TERM....Murdock
AVIATION...KR
MARINE...Canepa
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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Sat Jan 24 12:30:03 PST 2026
From the National Weather Service
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