Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA

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
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 457 PM PST Tue Mar 3 2026

It's VFR inland and VFR-MVFR-IFR along the immediate coastline with increasing low clouds. Onshore winds (shallow pool of cooler air) ahead of the next cold front arriving Wednesday will usher low clouds inland tonight and Wednesday, with partial clearing and gusty post frontal winds developing by late Wednesday morning and afternoon. It's been a while since we've had robust, gusty northwest winds and cold water upwelling over our coastal waters which has allowed sea surface temperatures to warm 4F to 5F above typical readings for the time of year. We are due for robust northwest winds and spring/early summer seasons often deliver these winds. Of course the chilly sea surface temps supports our fog/stratus seasons as well.

Vicinity of SFO...It's MVFR-IFR with a cloud ceiling and gusty onshore wind recently to 30 knots. Onshore winds will continue to usher low clouds inland tonight and Wednesday. 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/ increasing tonight and Wednesday morning ahead of the next cold front arriving Wednesday.
Gusty post frontal westerly to northwesterly winds to 25 to 30 knots developing in the afternoon.

MARINE
(Tonight through next Sunday)
Issued at 328 PM PST Tue Mar 3 2026

A moderate northwest breeze today 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.