Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 071147
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
447 AM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026

...New AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1238 PM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026

 - Seasonably cool temperatures through today before a warming 
   trend arrives for the second half of the week

 - Marine layer stratus develops each evening and overnight 
   before retreating to the coast each morning and afternoon

 - Long period southwest swell causes an increased risk of 
   sneaker waves and strong rip currents today through Friday

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 157 AM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026
(Today and tonight)

Satellite and surface observations show a well established and 
widespread marine layer stratus pattern. Onshore winds prevail 
due to a 3.1 mb SFO-SAC onshore pressure gradient. Sea surface 
temperatures in the coastal waters vary from the 50s to lower 60s
(approx 1F to 4F above July normals). A clear night above the 
stratus will allow for radiative cooling to space furthering 
stratus development to daybreak. A radiative and gentle upsloping 
cooling feedback loop may produce patchy light drizzle during the 
overnight to predawn hours. A stable weather pattern continues 
with 500 mb heights slightly above normal (near 587 decameters) at
~ 75th percentile for early July. Stratus will mix out inland 
with patchy stratus lingering along the immediate coastline today
under diurnal surface warming. Daytime highs are forecast to 
reach the 60s at the coast and around the SF Bay Shoreline to the 
70s/80s inland to the 90s far inland. Stratus redevelops and moves
back inland tonight. Lows tonight are forecast to reach the 50s most
places to the lower to mid 60s at higher elevations near the marine
layer temperature inversion.

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 157 AM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026
(Wednesday through Monday)

CA is currently on the western side of a high pressure system 
centered over CO/NM/AZ and northern Mexico. Over the next 24-48 
hours the high center will retrograde to just west of southern CA
where it'll become stationary during mid-week then is forecast to 
advance northeastward late in the week and weekend. Daytime highs
will warm through mid-late week including a few areas getting
above 100F in the southern interior Thursday and Friday. 

With approx 6 longwave troughs in the northern hemisphere, a 
strong meridional temperature gradient and an ongoing negative 
Pacific Decadal Oscillation this combination will place a longwave
trough over the eastern Pacific and as mentioned nudge the high 
northeastward. The temporary westward motion of the aforementioned
high then its northeastward motion away from CA may transport 
increasing 700-500 mb layer humidity and instability on southerly 
winds close to and possibly over our forecast area over the 
weekend and early next week. Recent global model guidance has 
hinted at showery qpf and it's too soon to say if lightning will 
be in the mix. We can have a marine layer while separate from this
high up in the atmosphere an elevated layer of humidity and 
instability can move over the top of the marine air. Trying to 
detect if there is a recent EPS/GEFS ensemble model trend in the 
500 mb synoptic pattern: It does look like the 500 mb high is 
shifting slightly northeast in recent trends, a sign of strength 
in the westerlies and this may help mitigate the warm up prior to
any instability arriving. It's difficult to say with any certainty,
the door to higher humidity coupled to instability may still reach
here. Stay tuned to further updates.

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 429 AM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026

High confidence in current IFR/MVFR conditions to persist through
the morning with only the North Bay and South Bay terminals 
expected to lift to VFR before noon. The marine layer has engulfed
virtually our entire area except for locations above ~2000ft or
higher. 

Vicinity of SFO...Bay Area terminals are expected to remain
IFR/MVFR into the early afternoon with a window of VFR until
around sunset when MVFR ceilings will return for the remainder of
the forecast period. Breezy onshore winds this morning will become
gusty by the afternoon and persist into the early evening hours,
but not expected to reach airport weather warning criteria.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...IFR conditions are expected to persist
with a chance of LIFR at KMRY through mid-morning. Moderate to
high confidence that KMRY remains at least MVFR through the entire
forecast period, while KSNS is expected to lift to VFR by early
afternoon with a return to ceilings hovering between IFR/MVFR in
the evening hours.

&&

.MARINE...
(Today through Sunday)
Issued at 429 AM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026

A strong northwest breeze today will continue into the weekend.
Rough wind waves will develop on Wednesday with long period low
southwest swell continuing through at least the end of the work
week.

&&

.BEACHES...
Issued at 1238 PM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026

A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect for Pacific coast 
beaches from Tuesday morning through Friday afternoon. Long period
southwesterly swell will create an increased risk of sneaker 
waves and strong rip currents, as well as breaking waves up to 10 
feet. This will be especially true for south and southwest facing 
beaches with moderate to steep slopes along the North Bay, San 
Francisco Peninsula, and Santa Cruz coasts. Sneaker waves can 
sweep across the shoreline without warning, pulling people into 
the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches. Dangerous swimming and 
surfing conditions and localized beach erosion can be expected. 
Stay off of jetties, piers, rocks, and other waterside 
infrastructure. Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf 
and NEVER turn your back on the ocean. Monitor local weather, surf
and tide forecasts at www.weather.gov/mtr.

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Beach Hazards Statement through Friday afternoon for CAZ006-505-
     509-529-530.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM this morning to 9 PM PDT 
     Wednesday for Mry Bay.

     Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM this morning to 3 AM PDT Friday 
     for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 3 AM PDT 
     Thursday for Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM this morning to 3 AM PDT Thursday 
     for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Friday for Pt Arena to Pt 
     Reyes 10-60 NM-Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 3 AM PDT Friday 
     for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Canepa
LONG TERM....Canepa
AVIATION...JM
MARINE...JM

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Tue Jul 7 06:30:04 PDT 2026
From the National Weather Service