Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 190702
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
1202 AM PDT Wed Aug 19 2026

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

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1201 AM PDT Wed Aug 19 2026

 - Compressed marine layer today, increases Thursday into the 
   weekend

 - Near normal temperatures today followed by a gradual cooling
   into the weekend

 - Elevations above about 1000 feet will have warm temperatures
   and RH values in the teens this morning into the afternoon

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 1201 AM PDT Wed Aug 19 2026
(Today and tonight)

A slightly more shallow marine layer tonight resulted in a somewhat 
later onset of stratus pushing inland with less extensive coverage 
than what was seen last night into early Tuesday morning. Another 
mild overnight into early this morning should result in stratus 
retreating back to the coast an hour or two sooner than we generally 
see this time of year. Todays warmup will barely be noticeable for 
areas below 1000ft away from the coast, with temperatures at higher 
elevations across the East Bay Hills and Santa Lucias including Big 
Sur and the Timber fire, running 10 degrees or more above normal. 
MinRH values will be in the teens this afternoon across those 
elevated locations, fortunately light winds continue to be a 
mitigating factor. The weak fetch of offshore flow above the marine 
layer over the southern Central Coast will shift late tonight with 
improved RH recovery expected into early Thursday, along with an 
increase in the marine layer depth.

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 1201 AM PDT Wed Aug 19 2026
(Thursday through Tuesday)

Troughing persists through the extended forecast with gradually 
cooling setting in on Thursday and continuing through the weekend 
into next week. The persistent ridging to our east increases to near 
600dm by the middle of next week, while continuing steer at least a 
couple of tropical waves around its perimeter well to our south. The 
potential tropical system still depicted beyond the official 
forecast period still appears to offer little impact for our area 
while we will continue to monitor any mid-level moisture advection.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 942 PM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Currently a mixed bag of LIFR-VFR. Prevailing persistence forecast 
tonight with little change in the pattern or marine layer. As such, 
IFR ceilings are forecast to impact all terminals tonight. If the 
marine layer compresses, lower chance of it reaching LVK or SJC. VFR 
expected for most by tomorrow afternoon with low stratus sticking 
close to the coast. HAF will likely remain sub-VFR through the TAF 
period with a low chance for ceilings to hang on at MRY and SNS 
through the day. Diurnal winds will prevail.

Vicinity of SFO...Currently IFR with northwesterly flow. High 
confidence in VFR prevailing by tomorrow afternoon. Diurnal winds 
will prevail. Lower (40%) confidence in the return of an IFR ceiling 
tomorrow night.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Currently LIFR with southwesterly flow at 
MRY and IFR with northwesterly flow at SNS. SNS is expected to 
further deteriorate to LIFR with LIFR-IFR conditions expected 
through tomorrow morning at both terminals. Low stratus will stick 
to the coast during the afternoon with another early return tomorrow 
evening. Diurnal winds will prevail.

&&

.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Monday)
Issued at 942 PM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Moderate to fresh northwesterly breezes will prevail through
Saturday. Locally strong northwesterly breezes across the northern
outer waters and along the coastal jet regions will bring
hazardous  conditions for small craft into Thursday. Rough seas in
the outer  waters will abate Thursday with moderate seas
prevailing by  Friday.

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...None.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 3 AM PDT 
     Thursday for Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Pinos to Pt 
     Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Thursday for Pt Arena to Pt 
     Reyes 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...JM
LONG TERM....JM
AVIATION...Sarment
MARINE...Sarment

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Wed Aug 19 02:30:04 PDT 2026
From the National Weather Service