Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 131827
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
1127 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...New AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 730 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

 - Elevated fire weather conditions through Thursday for low 
   relative humidity in the higher terrain 

 - Cooling trend through Friday will bring well below normal 
   temperatures, gradual warming trend through the weekend and 
   into next week

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 730 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

The high-based convective threat continues to diminish across the 
Central Coast. However, there still is a non-zero chance. Thus, will 
remove from Key Messages and will remove the Fire Weather section of 
the AFD. However, low humidities in the higher terrain will result 
in an elevated fire weather threat through the day. No other major 
adjustments needed this morning as the forecast remains on track.

RGass

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 1225 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
(Today and tonight)

The upper-level low remains off Point Conception and will continue 
to bring up to a 15% chance for elevated rain showers/thunderstorms 
through early Thursday morning across the Central Coast as it moves 
inland. This will bring near-critical fire weather conditions 
through Thursday early morning across Monterey and San Benito 
Counties. Erratic/gusty outflow winds up to 40 mph can be expected 
with any elevated rain showers/thunderstorms. The main concern is 
lightning which will pose the risk for new fire starts and has the 
potential to hinder operations on the Timber Fire. Smoke from the 
Timber Fire will continue to be transported into the Central Coast 
via light southwesterly winds. Smoke will get trapped under the 
inversion at night/in the morning, making the appearance and smell 
worse. The proximity to the low will allow for a relatively deeper 
marine layer across the Central Coast (2,000 feet) than the Bay Area 
(1,800 feet). Sensible weather wise, the cooling and moistening 
trend will continue through Friday with temperatures well below 
normal. 

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 1225 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
(Friday through Wednesday)

Friday will see the coolest conditions of the week with well below 
normal temperatures and a deep marine layer as upper-level troughing 
persists across the West Coast. By the weekend, upper-level ridging 
will build in to the Desert Southwest and an upper-level low will 
develop well off the West Coast. This will lead to cooler conditions 
with a deeper marine layer in the Bay Area and hotter conditions 
with a more compressed marine layer for the Central Coast. 
Temperatures will remain below normal with the higher terrain 
moderating to near normal with the help of warming 850 mb 
temperatures.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1127 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

The marine layer was 2200 feet deep this morning and it is set to 
increase up to 2500 feet tonight. As a result, stratus is taking a 
bit longer to scatter out of the remaining terminals, though 
widespread VFR should prevail after noon. The only exception is HAF 
where they will maintain MVFR ceilings through the day with 
occasional misty conditions that may impact visibility. Gusty 
onshore winds increase through the afternoon with possible gusts 
around 20 to 25 kt. Breezes become light overnight, generally from 
the west to southwest. A deepening marine layer may initiate an 
early onset of stratus this TAF period. Coastal terminals will 
develop MVFR ceilings this afternoon. Inland sites develop MVFR 
ceilings around midnight. Stratus should scatter out mid to late 
morning Friday.

Vicinity of SFO...Gusty west to southwest winds prevail through the 
afternoon and ease around sunset. Higher chance for gusts in excess 
of 22 kt at SFO than OAK. MVFR ceilings make an early return tonight 
with medium confidence on the exact timing. Given the expected 
marine layer depth, stratus is expected to clear later tomorrow 
around 19-20Z.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO. Stratus should generally 
develop after and clear before SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Onshore winds with gusts around 20 kt 
increase this afternoon, shortly after the remaining stratus clears 
from the terminals. Relied on persistence for MVFR stratus arrival 
today, so expect ceilings to develop this afternoon. Onshore winds 
remain light overnight with potential for ceilings to become low-end 
MVFR. Medium to high confidence that they will remain MVFR through 
the TAF period. 

&&

.MARINE...
(Today through Tuesday)
Issued at 1127 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

Moderate north to northwest winds prevail through the day and into
the weekend with moderate seas around 5 to 8 feet. A long period
southerly swell around 16 to 18 seconds is set to approach our
coastal waters by Friday evening and persist through the weekend.
Haze and smoke may decrease visibility nearby the Big Sur
coastline  due to the ongoing Timber fire.

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...None.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT this afternoon for Pt Arena 
     to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Sarment
LONG TERM....Sarment
AVIATION...Navarrete
MARINE...Navarrete

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Thu Aug 13 12:30:02 PDT 2026
From the National Weather Service