Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 120543
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
943 PM PST Sun Jan 11 2026

...New AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 211 PM PST Sun Jan 11 2026

 - High and dry pattern with offshore flow and cold overnight 
   conditions

 - Hazardous beach conditions at all Pacific Coast beaches
   continue throughout the week

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 631 PM PST Sun Jan 11 2026

While Winter is certainly our busy season, the breaks between storms 
bring some of the nicest weather of the year. Clear skies, mild 
afternoon temperatures, and gentle winds. The 00Z sounding found 
mostly dry air below the persistent humid layer above 20,000 feet. 
Light offshore winds will continue to limit fog formation overnight 
despite the cold temperatures. 

Clusters now show very high confidence in this ridging pattern 
surviving through the 20th. Starting on the 21st, we finally see 
some zonal or even weak troughing solutions, but more than 70% of 
the superensemble members still keep riding at 500 mb. In other 
words, the next chance for any rain is early next week, but
there's a good chance the dry weather lasts even longer.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 211 PM PST Sun Jan 11 2026
(This evening through Monday)

Another night of chilly weather is in the forecast as persistent 
ridging keeps the weather quiet for us. The deterministic NBM is 
improving in terms of the forecasted low temperatures in comparison 
to the previous few days. Temperatures this morning trended a few 
degrees cooler than even the adjusted forecast had. Given this, 
decided to blend in this morning's observed temperatures with the 
deterministic NBM to pull tomorrow morning's temperatures down 
slightly. A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued for the North Bay 
Valleys, East Bay Interior Valleys, the southern Salinas Valley, and 
interior San Benito County from 1AM-9AM PST Monday morning. Not a 
fan of chilly mornings? Temperatures warm into the low 60s across 
the Bay Area, 60s across the Central Coast, and even some mid to 
upper 60s in the Salinas Valley. Winds remain light and offshore 
with locally gusty conditions along the coastline. 

A Beach Hazards Statement is in effect through Monday evening. If
you are going to the beach, use caution and never turn your back 
on the ocean! There is an elevated risk of sneaker waves, rip 
currents, and larger shore break. 

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 211 PM PST Sun Jan 11 2026
(Monday night through next Saturday)

Colder mornings continue through at least Tuesday. We'll have to see 
how the current blend does for low temperatures on Monday but a 
similar blend may be needed for Tuesday morning. This would most 
likely necessitate a few Cold Weather Advisories for the coldest 
portions of the interior but they would not be widespread by any 
means. Daytime temperatures warm throughout the week and will be in 
the mid to upper 60s by mid to late week. The Salinas Valley looks 
to be one of the warmer locations with highs reaching the low to mid 
70s this week. Morning temperatures warm as well with a return of 
more seasonal low temperatures in the 40s expected. Winds remain 
light and offshore through the week as upper level ridging 
continues. Wondering when our next chance for rain will be? Models 
are hinting some rain may be possible towards the end of the month 
starting the 21st/22nd but models are not in agreement as to the 
placement of ridging vs troughing over the West Coast. Just know 
that rain is currently unlikely to return through at least mid-month 
with long range guidance indicating some increasing potential by 
late month.

While the Beach Hazards Statement is set to expire Monday evening, 
hazardous beach conditions are likely to return mid to late week. 
Another round of long period swell will result in an increased risk 
of sneaker waves and rip currents Wednesday into the end of the 
week. If you're heading to the beach keep this in mind and make sure 
you never turn your back on the ocean.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 927 PM PST Sun Jan 11 2026

Mostly VFR conditions under a straight forward ridging pattern.
The two exceptions are at STS and HAF, where patchy mist and fog 
are expected through Monday morning. Otherwise expect light 
diurnally driven wind and mostly clear skies outside of high 
clouds through the TAF period. Overall Monday will be a great day
for VFR pilots to get some hours.

Vicinity of SFO...High confidence in VFR conditions through the
TAF period. With a decent offshore gradient, wnds may flip to NE 
sometime Monday morning, but should remain light.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...VFR conditions and light diurnally driven
winds. SE surface winds will become moderate Monday morning at 
SNS as the offshore gradient combines with typical drainage flow
down the valley.


&&

.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Saturday)
Issued at 927 PM PST Sun Jan 11 2026

A moderate northerly breeze and long period moderate-rough
westerly swell will persist through the day Monday before gradual
improvement on Tuesday.

&&

.BEACHES...
Issued at 211 PM PST Sun Jan 11 2026

A Beach Hazard Statement is in effect through 6PM PST Monday for 
all Pacific Coast beaches. A longer period moderate swell will 
bring hazardous beach conditions with increased risk for rip 
currents, sneaker waves, and larger shore break. This will result 
in dangerous conditions along the shoreline. Hazardous beach 
conditions are expected to continue through Thursday with the 
issuance of additional Beach Hazard Statements likely.

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 Monday evening for CAZ006-505-
     509-529-530.

     Cold Weather Advisory from 1 AM to 9 AM PST Monday for CAZ506-
     510-516-518.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PST Monday for Pigeon Pt to Pt 
     Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Kennedy
LONG TERM....Kennedy
AVIATION...Flynn
MARINE...Flynn

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Mon Jan 12 00:30:02 PST 2026
From the National Weather Service