Bay Area should see spectacularly sunny weekend. But there's another big factor
San Francisco will finally get a break from the May gray this weekend.
After three straight weekends of foggy, drizzly weather, the city is in line for a sunny Saturday and Sunday. With a very high UV Index, people across the Bay Area should wear sunscreen and wear a hat to protect themselves from sun damage.
Blue skies will be the result of gale-force winds along the coast. Blustery conditions during both day and night will limit the potential for a foggy marine layer to form.
An unusually dry air mass moving over the region Friday is predicted to drop atmospheric moisture levels to about half of seasonal norms. There aren't often mid- or high-level clouds this time of year, but the atmosphere will be particularly moisture-starved this weekend. One possible exception is Saturday evening, when scattered high clouds may briefly drift by for a colorful sunset.
Despite the sunshine, highs will remain in the 60s in San Francisco due to the persistent onshore winds. Gusts could exceed 40 mph in the city, particularly near the water and in the hills Friday and Saturday.
Strong winds are forecast to whip the coast and bay Friday through Sunday, creating dangerous conditions for people near or on the water. A gale warning is in effect for the Pacific Coast from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening for gusts up to 50 knots or 58 mph. San Francisco Bay is included in the warning Saturday, when gusts could exceed 35 knots, or 40 mph.
A beach hazards statement is in effect from Friday afternoon through Monday morning along the Pacific Coast. Bay to Breakers runners are advised to avoid a dip in the ocean after finishing their race Sunday due to hazardous swimming conditions.
After blowing out of the northwest Friday and Saturday, winds will turn more northerly Sunday, ushering in even drier air. Relative humidity as low as 10% and gusts up to 40 mph will raise fire danger. Grass fires have the potential to spread quickly, particularly in Solano and Contra Costa counties.
Blustery conditions will continue Monday, limiting fog potential until Tuesday morning at the earliest. A warmup may push temperatures toward 90 degrees in parts of the Bay Area by Tuesday and Wednesday.
Weekend breakdown
San Francisco: Sunny, breezy conditions will prevail the entire weekend. High temperatures will probably only fluctuate a few degrees each day, with Saturday likely to be the coolest. Neighborhoods west of Twin Peaks will top out in the low to mid-60s while mid-60s to low 70s prevail to the east. Winds will be west-northwesterly Friday and gradually turn more northerly by Sunday. Gusts up to 40 mph are possible, particularly Friday. Dangerous beach conditions are expected from sneaker waves, rip currents and blowing sand. Overnight lows will be in the mid-50s.
North Bay: A sunny and windy weekend is in store for the North Bay. Friday is expected to reach the 60s along the coast and mid-70s to mid-80s inland before a 5 to 10-degree cooldown Saturday. Temperatures will rebound some Sunday, peaking in the low 80s in Alexander Valley and northern Sonoma and Napa valleys. Overnight lows will be in the 50s.
Wind will be most pronounced along the coast, where Point Reyes could gust up to 55 mph through the weekend. Strong winds will be funneled through Petaluma Gap, particularly Saturday, with the breeziest conditions shifting inland and into the mountains Sunday. Fire danger will be elevated in eastern Solano County on Sunday, when relative humidity could fall as low as 10% with gusts up to 45 mph.
East Bay: Sunny, windy weather is expected all weekend, with plummeting humidity Sunday expected to amplify fire danger in Contra Costa County. A range of high temperatures is expected. Friday and Sunday will be in the upper 60s to mid-70s along the bay shoreline and upper 70s to mid-80s inland, with Saturday likely to be 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding days. Overnight lows will be in the 50s.
A gale warning is in effect Saturday afternoon south of the Bay Bridge for gusts up to 40 knots and very rough waters. Elsewhere, frequent northwest gusts of 25 to 35 mph are expected Friday and Saturday, up to 45 mph over Altamont Pass and through Diablo Canyon. Winds will turn northerly Sunday into Sunday night, raising potential for strong gusts through the Interstate 680 corridor.
Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Dangerous beach conditions are expected this weekend. Breaking waves of 12 feet or higher and strong rip currents will pose danger to swimmers and beachgoers. Blowing sand is also expected from strong wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph.
Windy conditions will extend away from the beaches, too, with gusts up to 50 mph possible at San Francisco International Airport, particularly Friday and Saturday. The blustery weather will push away the fog for mainly sunny skies. Highs will be in the low to mid-60s at the coast and upper 60s to mid-70s along the Highway 101 corridor. Lows will be in the low to mid-50s.
South Bay and Santa Cruz: Abundant sunshine and strong winds are expected this weekend. Friday and Sunday will be warmest, in the mid-70s to low 80s, with Saturday likely to end up about 5 to 7 degrees cooler. Blustery conditions are expected along the coast, along the bay shoreline and in the valleys Friday and Saturday. Gusts of 25 to 40 mph are expected each afternoon, occasionally stronger. Winds will become more northerly Sunday and extend into the Santa Cruz Mountains, too. Overnight lows will be in the upper 40s to mid-50s.
Santa Cruz will be shielded from the biggest waves and strongest winds, but strong currents are still expected in Monterey Bay, posing danger to mariners.
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 10:39 AM.