Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 170425
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
925 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026

...New AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 115 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026

 - Breezy to windy conditions, especially along the immediate 
   coast, will result in hazardous beach conditions through Monday

 - Hazardous marine conditions expected through the weekend

 - Elevated fire weather concerns continue through Monday across 
   the interior with low humidities and strong gusts

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 920 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026

Water vapor imagery shows a broad trough of low pressure over the
West this evening, with another disturbance digging into the Great
Basin this evening. As a result, pressure gradients strengthened
once again this afternoon. The SFO-ACV gradient peaked at -10.8 
mbs, while the SFO-LAS gradient peaked at 15.7. Meanwhile, several
coastal sites have been gusting between 45 and 55 mph this
afternoon and evening, with the strongest gust up to this point 
at Point Reyes peaking with 61 mph. Therefore, the Wind Advisory
looks like it is verifying well, especially for coastal Marin and
San Mateo Counties. The Big Sur Coast has also been gusting in the
40s mph range, with Coast Road peaking at 48 mph. For now, plan to
let the Wind Advisory ride, even though it seems like the higher gusts
are becoming less frequent than earlier. Not to leave out the
coastal waters, the Bodega Bay Buoy has been steadily gusting
around 50 mph and the San Francisco Buoy has been gusting around
45 mph. The Monterey Buoy has also be gusting around 40 mph. 
Needless to say, it hasn't been a pleasant day to be out on our 
waters.

The winds will remain the primary concern of the short term
though, as the gradient goes from onshore tonight to more 
offshore Sunday into Monday, as another disturbance digs into the
Great Basin. Will need to look closely to see if we need another
Wind Advisory for the North and East Bay Mountains. Otherwise,
expect one more relatively cool day across the region tomorrow,
with a warming trend expected for the first part of the work week.
Palmer

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 115 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026
(This evening through Sunday)

Low pressure along the British Columbia coastline early this 
afternoon will push into the Intermountain West throughout the 
evening and into the overnight. This will tighten the pressure 
gradient across the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast. 
Thus, expecting the strongest winds to be along the coast and in 
the higher terrain across the region. Therefore, a Wind Advisory 
remains in effect through 5 AM Sunday morning along the coast 
excluding the Santa Cruz region for northwesterly winds of 20-30 
mph with gusts as strong as 55 mph (especially along the immediate
coast and in the higher terrain). 

For Sunday, expecting another disturbance rotate through the 
large scale trough and dig into the Great Basin once again. This 
will maintain a moderate to strong pressure gradient across the 
region with winds becoming offshore (northerly or northeasterly) 
in the higher terrain. Forecast temperatures for Sunday will be 
similar to or slightly warmer than today. 

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 115 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026
(Sunday night through next Friday)

A broad trough will remain over the Intermountain West through 
the early part of the workweek, yet is forecast to shift farther 
to the east. This will weaken the pressure gradient from much of 
the Bay Area and Central Coast by Monday night and into Tuesday. 
The one caveat, how deep will the marine layer be heading into 
early week. Temperatures have the potential to be 10 degrees F 
cooler along the coast and into the adjacent coastal valleys where
low clouds (if they develop) will be slow to dissipate. 

By midweek, high pressure will begin to build in from the eastern
Pacific leading to an inland warming trend. Meanwhile, as the 
marine layer is likely to deepen during this timeframe, cooler 
conditions will prevail near the coast and their adjacent valley 
locations. By the end of the week, ensembles are hinting at 
another trough approaching the West Coast and cooling temperatures
regionwide. However, less confidence in the extended. 

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 924 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026

Currently VFR at all terminals with the exception of some haze being 
observed at HAF and SNS. High confidence in VFR through the TAF 
period; however, haze will reduce slant range visibilities. Strong 
and gusty onshore winds will relatively diminish overnight before 
veering and strengthening towards the end of the TAF period.

Vicinity of SFO...Currently VFR with gusty westerly flow. High 
confidence in VFR through the TAF period. Strong and gusty westerly 
winds with gusts up to 35 knots are expected through 07Z. Winds will 
veer tomorrow to become northwesterly by the afternoon and 
northerly by late tomorrow night with gusts up to 30 knots expected.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Currently MVFR with southerly flow at MRY 
and MVFR with gusty southwesterly flow at SNS. Both terminals are 
observing OVC020; however, a look outside the office which is 
located adjacent to MRY shows VFR. The ceilometer is likely 
observing the inversion with lofted sea spray trapped beneath it. 
Aside from that, high confidence in VFR through the TAF period. 
Gusty onshore winds are expected through the TAF period.

&&

.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Friday)
Issued at 924 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026

Widespread hazardous conditions are expected to continue through
the weekend. Near gale force to gale force northerly breezes with
widespread severe gale force gusts are expected through the
weekend. Storm force gusts are expected across the northern outer
waters and along the coastal jet region of Big Sur through
tonight. Rough to very rough seas have built as a result.
Conditions will slowly begin to improve Monday.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 115 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026

Strong and gusty north to northwest winds continue to build through 
Saturday before becoming north to northeast by Sunday in the higher 
terrain. Expect peak gusts greater than 30 mph for most areas, with 
around 45 to 55 mph along the coast, through gaps and passes, and 
across the ridgelines. Daytime humidity retention will fall to 10-
25% across the interior regions and higher peaks, with limited 
overnight humidity recoveries. Strong winds persist into the early 
part of Monday before diminishing, but humidities will be slow to 
recover as a modest offshore flow continues into the early part of 
the week. 

RGass

&&

.BEACHES...
Issued at 140 AM PDT Sat May 16 2026

A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect for west facing 
beaches along the Pacific Coast through 9 AM Monday due to strong
winds over the marine environment leading to hazardously strong 
wind waves and overall rough seas. Dangerous swimming, boating, 
and surfing conditions can be expected. Large breaking waves can 
overpower swimmers resulting in significant physical injury and 
increase the risk of drowning. Gusts will stay strong along the 
immediate coast, causing blowing and drifting sand and increased 
sea spray. Water rescue attempts may be hampered by reduced 
visibilities from the sea spray. Remember, NEVER turn your back on
the ocean. 

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Beach Hazards Statement through Monday morning for CAZ006-505-
     509-530.

     Wind Advisory until 5 AM PDT Sunday for CAZ006-505-509-530.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until 3 AM PDT Tuesday for CAZ506.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Sunday for SF Bay N of Bay 
     Bridge.

     Gale Warning from 3 AM to 9 PM PDT Sunday for Pt Pinos to Pt 
     Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm-SF Bay N of Bay Bridge.

     Gale Warning until 9 PM PDT Sunday for Mry Bay-Pigeon Pt to Pt 
     Pinos 0-10 nm-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to 
     Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

     Storm Warning until 3 AM PDT Sunday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-
     60 NM-Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.

     Gale Warning from 3 AM Sunday to 3 AM PDT Monday for Pt Arena to 
     Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.

     Gale Warning until 3 AM PDT Monday for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-
     60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...RGass
LONG TERM....RGass
AVIATION...Sarment
MARINE...Sarment

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 May 17 00:30:04 PDT 2026
From the National Weather Service