Morning Fog and Evening Sprinkles: A Gray-to-Gold Sandwich for San Francisco

A Tale of Two Skies

San Francisco residents waking up this Thursday, January 22, 2026, will find the city draped in a familiar blanket of gray. The morning is starting with significant cloud cover and areas of patchy fog that are characteristic of the mid-winter season. However, the leaden skies are expected to yield to more pleasant conditions as the day progresses, before a weak storm system brings back the dampness after sundown.

Daily Forecast Breakdown

• Morning: The day begins under mostly cloudy skies with a current temperature hovering around 51°F. Coastal fog is thick in some neighborhoods, making for a damp commute. Humidity remains high at approximately 81%, keeping the air feeling crisp and cool.
• Afternoon: By midday, the marine layer is expected to retreat. The forecast predicts a transition to partly cloudy skies, allowing for intermittent sunshine across the city. High temperatures will climb to a seasonable 58°F in the city, though interior valleys and the South Bay could see highs reaching the lower 60s.
• Evening and Night: As the sun sets, the clouds will return in force. A weak weather system is projected to move through the area, bringing a 20% chance of light rain or sprinkles. Patchy fog will likely re-develop after midnight, with overnight lows dipping into the mid-to-upper 40s.

Temperature and Regional Variations

While the city proper maintains a range between 48°F and 58°F, regional microclimates will show slight variations. The East Bay and Peninsula are expected to see highs near 62°F, while coastal areas like Pacifica and Half Moon Bay will remain cooler under more persistent cloud cover. Throughout the region, light winds are expected, though breezy conditions may persist near the shoreline.

Important Alerts and Notices

The National Weather Service has issued several advisories and notices for today that residents and mariners should keep in mind:

• NWS Service Outage: A planned service outage is scheduled for today, January 22. This will impact NOAA Weather Radio stations and local radar data (KMUX). While critical warnings will still be issued, standard updates may be delayed.
• Maritime Warnings: A Gale Warning and a Small Craft Advisory are currently in effect for the coastal waters, indicating hazardous conditions for smaller vessels.
• Visibility: A Dense Fog Advisory has been noted for the early morning hours, particularly impacting bridge travel and coastal highways.

Overall, today offers a standard San Francisco winter mix. While heavy rain is not in the cards, a light jacket and an umbrella for the late-night hours are highly recommended for anyone planning to be out after dark.