Honestly, if you're looking at the weather in San Francisco on Friday, you’re probably expecting that classic, moody grey blanket to swallow the Golden Gate by noon. Everyone does. It’s basically the city's brand. But Friday, January 16, 2026, is kind of throwing a curveball at that stereotype.
We aren't seeing the usual "Karl the Fog" drama today. In fact, the city is sitting under a massive ridge of high pressure that’s basically acting like a giant hair dryer, pushing all that damp ocean air back out to sea.
The Real Numbers for Friday
Right now, it's a crisp 52°F outside. It feels a bit sharper—more like 49°F—mostly because of a 9 mph breeze coming in from the northeast.
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Here is the thing about today: it is staying sunny. Like, actual, blue-sky sunny. We are looking at a high of 61°F. For mid-January in Northern California, that’s basically a gift. You’ve got a 0% chance of rain during the day, so leave the umbrella in the closet. Seriously.
The humidity is hovering around 72% right now, but that’s going to drop as the sun gets higher. By the time you’re thinking about dinner, the low will settle back down to 49°F.
Why the "Thermal Belt" Matters Today
If you were listening to the National Weather Service (NWS) Bay Area discussions early this morning, they were nerding out over something called "thermal belting." It sounds like a sci-fi gadget, but it's why your friend in the hills is wearing a t-shirt while you're shivering in the valley.
Basically, warm air is trapped in the higher elevations while the cold stuff is sinking into the low spots. In some spots like Healdsburg, it was 39°F in the valley and 70°F just 1,700 feet up the hill at the exact same time. San Francisco avoids the worst of this extreme split, but it explains why the air feels so still and clear.
How to Actually Dress for This
San Francisco locals know the "onion method" isn't just a suggestion; it's a survival strategy. Even with a sunny 61°F forecast, that northeast wind at 9 to 15 mph can bite if you’re standing in the shade of a skyscraper in FiDi.
- Morning: You need a real coat. 52°F with 72% humidity feels damp and heavy.
- Lunch: This is peak "light sweater" time. If you’re sitting at a park like Salesforce Park or the Embarcadero, you’ll actually feel the sun’s warmth.
- Sunset: The temperature drops fast the second the sun dips behind the Twin Peaks. It’ll hit that 49°F low quickly.
What to Do with This Weather
Since it's a rare "dry and mild" Friday, skip the indoor museums for once.
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SF Sketchfest is officially kicking off today, which usually means running between indoor comedy venues, but the clear skies make the walks between North Beach and downtown actually pleasant. If you’re around Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden has its free admission hour this morning—it’s the perfect spot to catch the light before the "periodic clouds" mentioned in the forecast show up tonight.
Marine conditions are surprisingly chill too. If you were thinking about a ferry ride or a walk near the St. Francis Yacht Club, the winds are staying mostly light around the Golden Gate. No "Mavericks" style waves today; just moderate swells and a gentle breeze.
The "Hidden" Fog Risk
The forecast says sunny, but there’s a catch. Patchy dense fog was flagged for the valleys this morning. While the city center is mostly clear, if you’re driving in from the North Bay or the Salinas Valley, visibility was dropping to a quarter-mile or less earlier. It should be burnt off by now, but keep those low beams on if you hit a pocket of grey on the 101.
Actionable Advice for Friday
- Check your microclimate: If you’re heading to Ocean Beach, expect it to be 5 degrees cooler than the Mission.
- Sunscreen is still a thing: The UV index is low (around 2), but with zero cloud cover at midday, you’ll catch more rays than you think.
- Night plans: If you’re hitting the "Battle of the Decades" DJ party in North Beach or a Sketchfest show, bring a windbreaker. The night forecast calls for "clear with periodic clouds," and that northeast wind won't quit.
Enjoy the dry spell while it lasts. The long-range models are hinting at a shift back to a wet pattern by next Thursday, so this Friday is your best window for outdoor San Francisco vibes.