Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 221915
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
1215 PM PDT Sun Mar 22 2026

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

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1215 PM PDT Sun Mar 22 2026

 - Temperatures near to slightly above seasonal averages through
   the week

 - Dry weather through the 7 day outlook

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 1215 PM PDT Sun Mar 22 2026
(This evening through Monday)

The region is generally clear with a few high clouds. A more zonal 
(east to west) flow pattern in the upper levels is promoting an 
onshore wind and a slightly expanded marine layer around 1000 ft 
thick, with the end result being that the immediate coast sees 
temperatures close to the seasonal average with highs in the lower 
to middle 60s while the interior valleys remain rather warm, as 
highs in the upper 70s to middle 80s keep those regions around 10 to 
15 degrees above the seasonal averages. Some low clouds are possible 
at the immediate coast early Monday morning, with morning lows 
ranging from the upper 40s to lower 50s in the lower elevations to 
the middle 50s to the lower 60s in the higher elevations. 

On Monday, a low-amplitude ridge will develop over the state, with 
the overall impacts remaining relatively minor as temperatures 
remain within a few degrees of today's highs. 

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 1215 PM PDT Sun Mar 22 2026
(Monday night through next Saturday)

The low-amplitude ridge continues to develop through the early part 
of next week, before slowly moving off to the east beginning 
Wednesday into Friday. This will keep the temperatures relatively 
warm for this time of year, but relatively cool when compared to 
last week's record-breaking heat. Conditions remain generally stable 
through the 7-day outlook with onshore flow during the afternoons 
and evenings, highs in the upper 70s to middle 80s in the inland 
valleys, and the lower to middle 60s along the Pacific coast. 
Ensemble model cluster analysis continues to show a second broad, 
low-amplitude trough developing this weekend, although an embedded 
short-wave trough will mediate the impacts. The cluster analysis 
also shows the next chances for rain arriving for the last couple 
days of March into the first days of April, with increasing 
probabilities for scattered light rain across the region.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1117 AM PDT Sun Mar 22 2026

Satellite imagery this morning shows some high clouds passing over 
the region, with some patches of stratus lingering around the 
Central Coast. Nearly all TAF sites are reporting VFR at this time, 
with the exception being KHAF, where MVFR visibility is occuring. 
Checking the surrounding cameras there this seems legitimate and 
the question becomes, how long does this stay put. Opted to hold 
reduced MVFR cigs through the early afternoon, with perhaps a 
period of VFR conditions into the evening before faltering some 
overnight. Low to moderate confidence for KHAF. High confidence in
VFR conditions elsewhere. 

Vicinity of SFO...Onshore winds will gradually increase this morning 
and into the afternoon, peaking around 15-18kt. Gusts up to 21kt 
will be possible with winds easing to less than 10kt around 8Z. 
Breezy onshore winds are expected to return Monday afternoon. 

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Currently, VFR conditions prevail at the 
TAF sites around Monterey Bay. A pesky patch of stratus lingers in 
the Bay, hugging the coastline down to Point Sur State Historic 
Park. KMRY as a result, has brought in a SCT006 group in for the 
last observation, though there is uncertainty with how long this 
will last. Conditions should remain VFR through the period. There is 
a small chance for stratus returning to the terminals around or just 
after sunrise. Opted to hint at that possibility rather than 
bringing them fully down.

&&

.MARINE...
(Today through Friday)
Issued at 858 AM PDT Sun Mar 22 2026

Fresh to strong northerly winds continue to affect the outer
waters with near gale force gusts lingering. Within 10NM moderate
to fresh northerly winds are expected. Hazardous seas continue,
with winds decreasing into Monday, and seas gradually subsiding as
a result.

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...None.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM PDT this evening for Pt Arena to 
     Pt Reyes 0-10 nm.

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

     Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PDT Monday for Pt Arena to Pt 
     Reyes 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...DialH
LONG TERM....DialH
AVIATION...KR
MARINE...KR

Visit us at www.weather.gov/sanfrancisco

Follow us on Facebook, X, and YouTube at:
www.facebook.com/nwsbayarea
x.com/nwsbayarea
www.youtube.com/nwsbayarea


  
Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Sun Mar 22 14:30:02 PDT 2026
From the National Weather Service