
The San Francisco Bay Area is known for its unpredictable and changeable marine weather, with strong winds and large waves common throughout the year.
The Pacific Ocean is the primary source of San Francisco's marine weather, with the city's location on the western edge of the continent making it prone to storms and rough seas.
San Francisco's marine weather is influenced by the cool California Current, which keeps the water temperature relatively mild, ranging from 46°F to 58°F throughout the year.
The city's strong winds and large waves make it a challenging place for sailors and surfers alike.
A unique perspective: Weather for Dutch Harbor Alaska
San Francisco Bay Weather
San Francisco Bay Weather is a crucial factor to consider when planning your activities in the area. You can find detailed marine weather forecasts for the coming days, including wave heights and directions, as well as wind speed and direction.
The sea state chart provides a visual representation of the expected conditions, and clicking on it will give you more detailed information. This can be especially helpful if you're planning to engage in water sports or activities.
San Francisco Bay is known for its unpredictable weather, so it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts. You can also check the sea temperature, sunrise and sunset times, and tides to get a more complete picture of the conditions.
National Weather Service Forecast
The National Weather Service Forecast for San Francisco's Ocean Beach is looking pretty consistent.
The temperature is expected to range from 49.6°F to 51.4°F throughout the day, with a slight drop in the evening.
It's going to be a pretty overcast day, with no chance of precipitation.
The wind speed will increase throughout the day, reaching up to 12.1 mph in the evening.
Here's a breakdown of the forecast by time of day:
Overall, it's going to be a pretty chill day at the beach, but don't forget your jacket!
Checking Forecasts
If you're heading out to sea, checking the marine weather forecast is crucial. You should check the NOAA marine forecast, which lists swell where applicable.
Surf forecasts for specific beaches can give you a sense of ocean conditions where you'll be paddling. Look at the surf forecast for nearby beaches with similar exposure, such as west-facing or south-facing beaches.
Beaches frequented by board surfers often have such forecasts, typically by Magic Seaweed, Willyweather, Surfline, or Solspot. You can search for the beach name and "surf forecast" to find them.
For example, Magic Seaweed offers forecasts for beaches like Bolinas and Marin County. Willyweather provides forecasts for beaches like Rodeo Beach.
Ocean swell models, such as the Magic Seaweed North Pacific Swell chart and the Coastal Data Information Program California Wave Model, provide a picture of the swell over a broad area. They give context for what will happen near the shore.
Data buoys, like those at the National Data Buoy Center, can tell you what's actually happening out to sea. You can use them to check the buoys that feed information into the above models and forecasts.
Here are some sources to check for surf forecasts:
- Magic Seaweed
- Willyweather
- Surfline
- Solspot
Interpreting Forecasts
To get the most out of your marine weather forecast, you need to understand what the numbers and words mean. Swells originate from storm winds over the open ocean and can travel thousands of miles, losing height gradually.
A forecast will often list two or three swells, with the primary swell being the most prominent. In the winter, the primary swell often originates from the North Pacific, having a westerly or northwesterly direction.
The secondary swell, coming up from below the equator, may not be noticeable on its own but will tend to accentuate sets. This means it will make the difference between large and small waves more noticeable.
The height of a swell is the significant wave height, which is the average height of the largest one-third of the waves. Individual waves may be smaller or larger than the listed height, with one in every 100 waves being half again as large, one in every 1,000 waves being twice as large, and occasional waves being even larger.
The wave period is the time between successive crests or troughs, and it matters more than the wave height when a swell interacts with the shore. A longer period means a greater mass of water and faster movement, resulting in bigger surf.
A 3-ft swell at 8 seconds is not especially scary, but a 3-ft swell at 18 seconds is a different story. This is because the longer period packs more energy and mass, making it more formidable.
The wave direction is also crucial, as it determines which directions a beach or stretch of coastline is sheltered from and exposed to. For example, Dillon Beach faces west and is exposed to west and northwest swells but relatively protected from southerly ones.
Tide also plays a significant role in how surf behaves on a beach. A swell that doesn't break on a reef at high tide may break there on a lower tide, and a shallow beach may become steeper and dumpier at a higher tide.
Here are some key factors to consider when interpreting forecasts:
- Primary and secondary swells: Understand the origin and direction of each swell.
- Swell height, period, and direction: Know how these factors affect the surf and your paddle.
- Tide: Consider how the tide affects the depth of water and the behavior of surf on the beach.
Ocean Beach Conditions
Ocean Beach Conditions are crucial for any water activity enthusiast. Click on the sea state chart for more details about wave heights and directions in Ocean Beach San Francisco for the coming days.
You can also check other sections of our site for Ocean Beach San Francisco, including Sea temperature, Sunrise and Sunset, and Tides, to get a better understanding of the conditions.
To plan your day, it's a good idea to check the Marine weather forecast for Ocean Beach San Francisco, which includes graphs showing wave heights and directions, as well as wind speed and direction.
San Francisco Ocean Beach
San Francisco Ocean Beach is known for its chilly temperatures, especially at night. The current temperature is around 49.6°F, with a feeling of 46°F due to the overcast weather.
The wind speed at Ocean Beach is moderate, ranging from 10.1 to 12.1 mph. On the day, the wind speed picks up to 11.2 mph.
During the day, the temperature rises to around 51.3°F, with a feeling of 47.5°F. The humidity is relatively high, ranging from 88% to 96%.
Here's a summary of the current weather conditions at Ocean Beach San Francisco:
Ocean Beach Temperature and Weather
Ocean Beach in San Francisco is known for its cool temperatures, especially in the mornings and evenings. The nighttime temperature is around 49.6°F, feeling like 46°F due to the wind.
The wind speed at Ocean Beach is relatively moderate, ranging from 10.1 mph to 12.1 mph throughout the day. This can make it feel cooler than the actual temperature.
The precipitation probability remains at 0% throughout the day, so you can expect clear skies. However, the visibility is limited to 6 miles due to the overcast conditions.
Here's a breakdown of the temperature and weather conditions at Ocean Beach:
The UV index is relatively low, ranging from 0 to 3.7 throughout the day, which is suitable for outdoor activities. However, it's essential to wear sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid sunburn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best site for marine weather forecast?
For the most accurate and up-to-date marine weather forecasts, visit the National Weather Service (NWS) Marine Weather Services Program website.
How often does NOAA update marine forecast?
NOAA updates marine forecasts every 6 hours, with additional updates as needed.
Sources
- https://www.bask.org/weather/
- https://marineweather.net/coastal/san-francisco-bay-south-of-the-bay-bridge-coastal-forecast
- https://seatemperature.info/san-francisco-bay-weather-forecast.html
- https://seatemperature.info/ocean-beach-san-francisco-weather-forecast.html
- https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS56.KMTR.html
Featured Images: pexels.com