Weather
Bay Area Weather Alert: Cooler Days, Showers Possible Oct 20-21
San Francisco, CA – A substantial temperature change is approaching San Francisco, with afternoon highs expected to fall from approximately 85 degrees Friday to just 62 degrees Monday, Oct. 19, as rai
By Elliot Vaughn · 2026-10-16T11:38:06.655Z
San Francisco, CA – A substantial temperature change is approaching San Francisco, with afternoon highs expected to fall from approximately 85 degrees Friday to just 62 degrees Monday, Oct. 19, as rain chances return to the city. The 23 degree decline will unfold over several days, replacing unusually warm conditions with cooler coastal weather. Rain becomes possible late Monday evening and could continue intermittently through Wednesday, creating a noticeably different start to the workweek for commuters, outdoor workers and residents across the city.
According to the National Weather Service in the San Francisco Bay Area, Monday will bring mostly sunny skies and a high near 62 degrees before clouds increase and rain becomes possible after 11 p.m. Temperatures are expected to fall near 55 degrees Monday night, with additional rain chances continuing Tuesday and Wednesday. The supplied forecast does not specify precipitation probabilities or rainfall totals, leaving uncertainty about how widespread or persistent the showers may become. No significant storm or flooding threat is identified in the available local outlook.
Cooler Weather Takes Hold Across San Francisco The approaching cooldown begins during the weekend as Saturday's forecast high reaches approximately 80 degrees, followed by a much cooler Sunday afternoon near 66 degrees. By Monday, temperatures should settle around 62 degrees, representing a 23 degree decline from Friday's expected high. The change occurs gradually rather than through a sudden temperature collapse, but it will be noticeable for residents spending extended periods outdoors.
Sunday marks the most pronounced transition, with daytime temperatures falling 14 degrees from Saturday's expected high. Sunny skies are forecast during the afternoon, followed by partly cloudy conditions Sunday night and a low near 54 degrees. The cooler air will continue into Monday, when mostly sunny conditions initially provide a relatively dry start before the possibility of rain develops late in the evening.
The forecast suggests a return to more typical cool coastal conditions, although the supplied information does not establish whether temperatures will fall below seasonal averages. The most meaningful development is the combination of declining daytime highs and renewed precipitation chances after several days of dry weather.
Rain Chances Could Affect Midweek Travel The first rain opportunity arrives after 11 p.m. Monday, with additional chances Tuesday under partly sunny skies and an afternoon high near 62 degrees. A slight chance of rain continues Tuesday night, followed by another slight chance Wednesday. The timing suggests that some commuters could encounter damp conditions during the middle of the workweek if showers develop.
Motorists using Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate 280 should remain attentive to changing roadway conditions. Wet pavement and reduced visibility are possible where rain occurs, particularly during busier commuting periods. However, the National Weather Service has not identified flooding, highway closures or significant transportation disruptions in the supplied forecast.
The potential return of rainfall may also influence outdoor recreation and activities around the San Francisco waterfront, Golden Gate Park and other exposed locations. Residents planning evening activities Monday or outdoor events Tuesday and Wednesday may want to monitor updated forecasts. A light rain jacket could be useful, although the forecast does not establish that precipitation will occur continuously.
Conditions May Improve Later Wednesday Wednesday is expected to bring mostly sunny skies and an afternoon high near 65 degrees, despite a slight chance of rain. Temperatures should fall near 55 degrees Wednesday night, when partly cloudy skies and another slight rain chance remain in the forecast. This suggests that unsettled conditions could linger intermittently even as daytime sunshine returns.
By Thursday, the National Weather Service expects mostly sunny skies and a high near 64 degrees. No additional precipitation is listed in the supplied Thursday forecast, suggesting a potentially drier end to the available outlook. The city should remain considerably cooler than the preceding warm weekend, with daytime temperatures generally holding in the lower to middle 60s.
For San Francisco residents, Monday evening through Wednesday remains the primary period to monitor for changing weather. Updated forecasts will help clarify rainfall coverage and whether any showers could coincide with morning or evening commutes.
Are you looking forward to San Francisco's cooler temperatures and possible rain after the warm weekend?
Five Day San Francisco Weather Outlook Saturday 10/17: Sunny skies are expected with an afternoon high near 80 degrees and west winds of 5 to 7 mph; mostly clear conditions follow Saturday night with southwest winds of 5 to 9 mph and a low near 57.
Sunday 10/18: Sunny skies continue, but afternoon temperatures fall noticeably to approximately 66 degrees; partly cloudy conditions develop Sunday night as temperatures drop near 54 degrees, marking a cooler start to the workweek.
Monday 10/19: Mostly sunny skies are expected with a high near 62 degrees, followed by increasing clouds and a chance of rain after 11 p.m.; nighttime temperatures fall to approximately 55 degrees.
Tuesday 10/20: A chance of rain continues under partly sunny skies, with an afternoon high near 62 degrees; a slight chance of rain remains Tuesday night as temperatures fall near 54 degrees.
Wednesday 10/21: Mostly sunny skies are forecast with a slight chance of rain and a high near 65 degrees; partly cloudy conditions follow Wednesday night with another slight rain chance and a low near 55.
Additional Outlook Through Thursday Thursday, Oct. 22, is expected to bring mostly sunny skies and an afternoon high near 64 degrees, offering a potentially drier period following the early week rain chances.