Technical NOAA Weather Discussion

FXUS66 KMTR 040529
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
929 PM PST Tue Mar 3 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 117 PM PST Tue Mar 3 2026

 - Moderate to strong winds expected along the coast and across 
   higher terrain Wednesday through Friday

 - Offshore winds will bring warmer weather this weekend

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 855 PM PST Tue Mar 3 2026

No update to the forecast this evening. Slight rain chances
persist in far northern Sonoma County near the coast as an upper
level trough axis begins pushing through overnight and the
associated surface cold front begins pushing south through our
area. Surface winds will begin to increase after sunset especially
along the North Bay coast at first and higher elevations inland. 
The stronger surface winds will persist through Friday, however 
the spatial and temporal extent of the winds aren't quite there 
for a wind advisory attm, though some isolated inland peaks and 
coastal locations may see occasional gusts of 45 MPH or higher by 
tomorrow afternoon into the evening hours.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 117 PM PST Tue Mar 3 2026
(This evening through Wednesday)

Mostly sunny skies have returned to the region this afternoon, 
except for coastal locations of Marin County and the San Francisco
Peninsula. As such, temperatures are forecast to warm up to 
around 10 degrees F above seasonal averages in the warmest 
interior valleys has a short wave ridge builds ahead of an 
approaching mid/upper level trough. 

A rather dry cold front is forecast to move through the region on
Wednesday morning with increasing north to northwest winds 
developing by the late morning and more so by the afternoon. There
remains a slight chance for light rain across far northern Sonoma
County, yet not expecting much if any measurable rainfall. The 
strongest winds tomorrow will remain over the coastal waters, 
along the coastline, and in the higher terrain with gusts up to 
35-45 mph. However, at this time, we do not anticipate a Wind 
Advisory as widespread coverage does not appear to be great 
enough. Temperatures Wednesday afternoon will be near seasonal 
averages in wake of the frontal passage with clearing skies.

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 117 PM PST Tue Mar 3 2026
(Wednesday night through next Monday)

Moderate winds are forecast to resume Wednesday night into 
Thursday and will limit the cooling potential. As such, expecting 
upper 30s to lower 40s across the interior with low to upper 40s 
across the remainder of the region. Winds increase once again 
Thursday afternoon with similar directions and speeds as 
previously mentioned in the short term discussion. 

Friday and Saturday will begin a warming trend as the mid/upper 
level low pressure moves from the Great Basin into the 
Intermountain West. This will result in offshore flow, especially 
for the higher terrain across the region. By Sunday afternoon, 
temperatures are forecast to be between 10 to 20 degrees above 
normal resulting in more widespread Minor HeatRisk. This will be 
as a mid/upper level cut off low develops off the coast of Baja 
California. 

The forecast ensembles show continued ridging across the region 
which supports the Climate Prediction Center's above normal 
temperatures and below normal precipitation in the 8-14 Day 
Outlooks. 

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 929 PM PST Tue Mar 3 2026

Conditions are a mix of VFR and MVFR-IFR with increasing low 
clouds. Onshore winds (shallow pool of cooler air) ahead of the 
next cold front arriving Wednesday will continue to usher low 
clouds inland tonight and Wednesday, with partial clearing and 
gusty post frontal winds developing by late Wednesday morning and 
afternoon. 

Vicinity of SFO...Onshore wind will continue to usher in low 
clouds /MVFR/ tonight and Wednesday morning. Post cold front 
westerly wind becoming gusty to 30 knots or possibly higher 
Wednesday if not late morning then in the afternoon. Gusty 
westerly wind likely continues Wednesday evening and overnight 
into early Thursday.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Low clouds /MVFR-IFR/ tonight and 
Wednesday morning ahead of the next cold front arriving Wednesday.
Low clouds /MVFR/ redevelop Wednesday night. Gusty post frontal 
westerly to northwesterly winds to 25 to 30 knots from afternoon 
to early to mid evening. 

&&

.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Monday)
Issued at 855 PM PST Tue Mar 3 2026

A moderate northwest breeze tonight increases to a strong
northwest breeze on Wednesday and near gale force winds by
Thursday. These winds will build very rough seas of 12 to 15 feet
across exposed waters Thursday through Friday. Both of these
impacts will result in widespread hazardous conditions across the
coastal waters. Seas and winds will abate for the coming weekend,
but hazards to small craft persist in the northern outer waters
with strong north winds and rough seas.

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...None.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PST Thursday for Pt Arena to Pt 
     Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.

     Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM PST Wednesday for Pigeon Pt to 
     Pt Pinos 0-10 nm-Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM-Pt Reyes to 
     Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

     Gale Warning from 9 PM Wednesday to 9 AM PST Thursday for Pigeon 
     Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

     Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PST Wednesday for Pt Pinos to Pt 
     Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.

     Gale Warning from 3 PM Wednesday to 9 AM PST Thursday for Pt 
     Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm.

     Gale Watch from Thursday morning through late Thursday night for 
     Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.

     Gale Warning from 9 PM Wednesday to 3 AM PST Friday for Pigeon 
     Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...RGass
LONG TERM....RGass
AVIATION...Canepa
MARINE...Canepa

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Prepared by Boulder-Creek.com Weather at: Wed Mar 4 00:30:02 PST 2026
From the National Weather Service