National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorm and Heavy Rainfall Threat Tonight; Heat Continues on Tuesday Across the Eastern U.S.

Severe weather and flash flooding threats continue across the Central Plains and Midwest into tonight. Very large hail, strong tornadoes and damaging winds are expected. An early season heat wave will continue to challenge temperature records across the eastern U.S. through Wednesday. Read More >

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750
FXUS66 KMTR 190432
AFDMTR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
932 PM PDT Mon May 18 2026

...New AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1251 PM PDT Mon May 18 2026

- Breezy to windy conditions, especially across the North, East,
and South Bay Mountains and the Santa Cruz Mountains continue
through tonight

- Elevated fire weather concerns continue through today across
the interior due to very dry conditions and breezy winds

- Above normal temperatures continue through midweek with seasonal
temperatures returning late week

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 1251 PM PDT Mon May 18 2026
(This evening through Tuesday)

Gusty offshore winds have started to come down across the region and
will continue to ease through the remainder of the day. Current
gusts across the lower elevations are peaking around 25-30 mph with
gusts across the higher elevations peaking between 35-45 mph. The
strongest gust observed during this wind event was 86 mph right
around midnight at Mt. Umunhum where the station is at an elevation
of 3319 feet. This tracks pretty well with when the SFO-WMC pressure
gradient peaked (-7.60 mb) around 1AM and again around 5AM. The SFO-
WMC gradient is currently around -4.3 mb and is expected to continue
easing through the remainder of the day. Winds remain lightly
offshore across the interior through the remainder of today into
tomorrow but winds will be weaker. We will see a return to our
normal breezy afternoon/evening winds that ease overnight starting
Tuesday.

Upper level ridging continues to dominate the Pacific Ocean while
broad upper level troughing prevails over the Western United States.
At the surface, high pressure prevails over the Pacific while a
coastal trough develops along the California coast. Warmer
temperatures are expected to continue Tuesday through Thursday. This
is thanks both to ridging offshore suppressing the marine layer and
a warmer, drier airmass moving in in the wake of this weekend`s
strong offshore winds. Interior high temperatures will generally be
in the 80s with the hottest portions of the North and East Bays in
the low 90s. Coastal areas will be slightly cooler in the 60s to mid
70s. Dry conditions are expected to prevail through much of the
upcoming week with daytime relative humidity values dropping into
the 10`s to 20`s. While fire weather concerns are lower now that the
winds are easing, fine fuels (grass, shrubs) are dried out and are
ready to burn. If you are engaging in any outdoor activities
involving flames or are towing something, keep a close eye on it and
prevent sparks from spreading.

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 1251 PM PDT Mon May 18 2026
(Tuesday night through next Sunday)

The overall pattern remains the same for much of the upcoming week.
High temperatures will stay above seasonal normals through Thursday
with highs in the 80s to low 90s across the interior and 60s to 70s
along the coast. Patchy moderate heatrisk is forecast across urban
areas but it is note widespread enough to necessitate a Heat
Advisory. If you are spending time outdoors this week make sure to
drink plenty of water and take breaks in the shade as needed. Winds
generally remain offshore with diurnally breezy conditions expected.
Friday into the weekend a pattern change looks likely. Long range
guidance suggests upper level ridging will weaken and shift westward
over the Pacific while broad upper level troughing dominates the
West Coast. With high pressure shifting away, onshore winds return
and the marine layer will be able to redevelop by late week. A
shallow (~500 ft) marine layer will redevelop mid to late week but
will deepen to ~1000 ft by Friday. This, and receding high pressure,
will kick off a cooling trend with interior temperatures returning
to the 70s to low 80s and coastal areas to the 60s. The return of
the marine layer will help to alleviate dry daytime conditions,
further reducing fire risk late next week. &&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1021 AM PDT Mon May 18 2026

Currently VFR at all terminals. High confidence in VFR and diurnal
winds prevailing through the TAF period. Winds may become calm
and/or light and variable overnight.

Vicinity of SFO...Currently VFR with westerly flow. High confidence
in VFR and diurnal winds prevailing through the TAF period. Westerly
winds will continue to diminish with the potential to become calm
and/or light and variable overnight.

SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.

Monterey Bay Terminals...Currently VFR and calm at MRY and VFR with
northerly flow at SNS. High confidence in VFR and diurnal winds
prevailing through the TAF period.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 932 PM PDT Mon May 18 2026


Vicinity of SFO...

SFO Bridge Approach...

Monterey Bay Terminals...

&&

.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Sunday)
Issued at 932 PM PDT Mon May 18 2026

Conditions will continue to improve tonight as northerly breezes
continue to diminish. Rough seas will prevail in the outer waters
with moderate seas in the inner waters. Hazardous conditions for
small craft will persist through the week across the northern
outer waters due to rough seas and strong northerly breezes.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1251 PM PDT Mon May 18 2026

Gusty north to northeast winds will continue through this
afternoon before easing tonight into tomorrow. Peak gusts between
35 to 45 mph are still possible across the higher elevations into
this evening. Daytime humidity retention remains poor with most
sites staying around 10-25% across the interior and higher peaks
with limited overnight recoveries. Winds ease by Tuesday but fire
weather concerns will linger through late week as light offshore
flow continues and daytime humidities remain poor.

&&

.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Coastal Flood Advisory until 3 AM PDT Tuesday for CAZ506.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Tuesday for Pt Arena to Pt
Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.

Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM PDT Wednesday for Pt Arena to Pt
Reyes 10-60 NM.

Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PDT Tuesday for Pigeon Pt to Pt
Pinos 10-60 NM.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Kennedy
LONG TERM....Kennedy
AVIATION...Sarment
MARINE...Sarment

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