Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 101924
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
1224 PM PDT Fri Apr 10 2026

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1220 PM PDT Fri Apr 10 2026

 - Rain and thunderstorms through the weekend 

 - Gradual warming and drying trend next week

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 1220 PM PDT Fri Apr 10 2026
(This evening through Saturday)

A mid/upper level low pressure system remains about 100 miles off of 
the northern California coast. This feature has resulted in 
widespread rain showers across our region the past 24 hours with the 
North Bay picking up between 0.25"-1.25". Lesser amounts have been 
reported south of the North Bay, but some coastal and mountain 
locations have received up to 0.75". Overall, this has been greater 
than originally forecasted. This band of rain showers continues to 
shift inland and the threat for rain showers and thunderstorms will 
persist throughout the afternoon and evening, especially as day time 
heating increases surface based CAPE to between 500-1000 J/kg. Any 
thunderstorm will be capable of producing lightning, locally heavy 
rainfall, erratic/gusty winds, and small hail. Weak low-level wind 
shear does not support a mention of rotation that would lead to 
tornadoes and/or waterspouts through this evening. Rain showers and 
a slight chance of thunderstorms will continue into the night, yet 
chances for both trend downward overnight. 

An approaching mid/upper level low is forecast to drop out of the 
Gulf of Alaska on Saturday and move inland Sunday afternoon across 
northern California. This is when we have all three ingredients for 
thunderstorms: lift, instability, and moisture. Some of the higher 
resolution and conviction-allowing models (CAMs) such as the RRFS 
indicate the potential for a narrow cold-frontal rainband (NCFR) to 
move across the Bay Area and Central Coast Saturday afternoon and 
evening. This will be when we have the greatest potential for 
rotating cells that may produce waterspouts and/or weak tornadoes. 
In coordination with the Storm Prediction Center, we have been 
upgraded to a Marginal Risk of severe thunderstorms on Saturday. The 
greatest potential being the threat of wind exceeding 40 knots. 

From previous forecaster: "Anglers should take special note of the 
expected weather and have a plan to reach safe harbor quickly when 
the weather turns. Even without thunderstorms, the marine conditions 
will deteriorate through the day Saturday. If thunderstorms develop, 
the associated wind gusts are capable of capsizing small vessels. 
Fishing leads to more lightning deaths in the U.S. than any other 
activity. When thunder roars, head indoors!"

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 1220 PM PDT Fri Apr 10 2026
(Saturday night through next Thursday)

The rainfall amounts continue to trend higher today through Sunday 
with 0.50"-0.75" in the southern Salinas Valley, 1"-2" across much 
of the Bay Area and Central Coast, and up locally up to 4" in the 
coastal ranges. However, this rainfall will be mostly beneficial 
with no widespread river flooding anticipated. However, we can still 
see ponding of water on roadways, minor urban and small stream 
flooding, and flooding of poorly drained areas. This will be 
especially so if any heavier showers and/or thunderstorms develop 
and train over any one given area.  

Post-frontal rain showers and isolated thunderstorm will continue 
into Sunday as a colder air mass settles into the region. This is 
when we may see snow fall across the higher peaks across the region, 
however little to no snow accumulation is expected. Lingering rain 
showers and isolated thunderstorms may persist into early Monday 
morning before a warming and drying trend resumes by Monday 
afternoon. Slightly below normal temperatures are expected Monday 
afternoon before rebounding to near seasonal averages by Thursday 
and Friday. 

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 442 AM PDT Fri Apr 10 2026

A band of moderate to heavy showers is moving slowly eastward 
over the forecast area. In addition to showers during the 12z
TAFs, there's a slight chance to chance of thunderstorms today. 
Conditions are otherwise forecast VFR-MVFR. 

Vicinity of SFO...VFR-MVFR. Showers with a convective potential
today, but will monitor radar and satellite before adding VCTS to
the TAF. Southeast wind 5 to 10 knots becoming south-southwest 10
to 15 knots in the afternoon

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...VFR-MVFR. Showers. Southeast to southwest
winds 5 to 12 knots. 

&&

.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Wednesday)
Issued at 1220 PM PDT Fri Apr 10 2026

Isolated to scattered showers and a chance of thunderstorms 
remain in the forecast today. The next round of precipitation 
arrives late Saturday into Sunday, as the next weather system 
arrives. Increasing winds are expected, with isolated gale force 
gusts from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos. High pressure builds 
behind the system with fresh northwest winds developing early next
week.

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...None.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM to 9 PM PDT Saturday for Mry Bay-
     Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm-Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras 
     Blancas 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm-SF Bay N of 
     Bay Bridge.

     Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM to 3 PM PDT Saturday for Pt Arena 
     to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM to 9 PM PDT Saturday for Pigeon 
     Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...RGass/Sarment
LONG TERM....RGass
AVIATION...Canepa
MARINE...KR

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Fri Apr 10 12:30:03 PDT 2026
From the National Weather Service