It’s January 14, 2026, and if you’re looking at your phone right now, you probably see a row of little sun icons or maybe a stray cloud. You’ve checked the san francisco california 10-day forecast, and it looks... fine. Pleasant, even. Mid-50s to low 60s.
But here’s the thing. San Francisco doesn't really have "weather." It has moods.
Honestly, trying to predict the exact temperature in this city ten days out is like trying to guess the mood of a caffeinated toddler. You might get lucky, or you might end up shivering in a $45 tourist hoodie you bought at Fisherman’s Wharf because you thought "California" meant "Bikinis." It doesn't. At least not here, and definitely not in January.
The 10-Day Reality Check: January 14–23, 2026
Right now, we are sitting in a weirdly stable pocket of weather. According to the latest data from the National Weather Service and local observation stations at SFO, we’re looking at a string of sunny days through Friday, January 16.
The highs? About 61°F.
The lows? Somewhere near 49°F.
It sounds mild. But "mild" in San Francisco is a trap. That 61 degrees feels like 70 if you’re sitting in the sun at Dolores Park, but the second you step into the shadow of a Victorian house in the Haightery, it’s 52 degrees and your bones are vibrating.
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By Saturday, January 17, things start to get a bit moody. We’re expecting a shift to cloudier skies with a 10% to 15% chance of light rain. It’s not a washout—this isn't an atmospheric river like we saw back in 2023—but it’s that damp, gray San Francisco "gloom" that makes the Golden Gate Bridge disappear entirely.
Moving into next week, from Monday the 19th through Friday the 23rd, the san francisco california 10-day forecast suggests more of the same. Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Highs will hover right around 56°F to 59°F.
Wait.
Did you notice that?
The temperature actually drops as the week goes on. While the rest of the country is waiting for spring, SF in late January often hits its coldest stride. We’re currently transitioning out of a La Niña pattern. Meteorologists at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center are calling for a "Neutral" state by the end of March, but for now, that means the storm tracks are unpredictable. We could get a surprise "Pineapple Express" (a warm, wet storm) or just a week of crisp, dry air that makes the air quality amazing but your skin feel like parchment paper.
Why Your App is Lying to You
Most weather apps use a single data point, usually from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
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SFO is not in San Francisco. It’s 13 miles south in Millbrae.
If you’re staying in the Sunset District, it might be 54 degrees and foggy. At the same exact moment, Potrero Hill could be 64 degrees and brilliant sunshine. We call these microclimates. The city's hills act like giant stone baffles, trapping the ocean air in some neighborhoods while shielding others.
- The Fog Belt: Richmond and Sunset. Expect it to be 5 degrees colder than the forecast says.
- The Sun Pockets: Mission District and Noe Valley. This is where you go when you're depressed by the gray.
- The Wind Tunnels: Financial District. Between the skyscrapers, the wind accelerates to "I-hope-this-umbrella-is-structural" levels.
What Most People Get Wrong About SF Winters
People think winter is the "bad" time to visit. Kinda the opposite.
Actually, January is often clearer than July. In the summer, the heat in the Central Valley sucks the cold ocean air through the Golden Gate, creating a thick, wet fog. We call it "Fogust." In January, that pressure difference isn't as strong. You actually have a better chance of seeing the top of the bridge in the san francisco california 10-day forecast than you do in the middle of summer.
The air is cleaner, too. After a light rain, the city looks like it’s been put through a high-definition filter.
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However, don't expect snow. It hasn't happened in a meaningful way since 1976. If you see white stuff on the ground, it’s hail from a passing thunderstorm or someone’s spilled sourdough starter.
The "Expert" Packing List for This Forecast
If you’re coming here in the next ten days, pack like you’re going on a hike, not a city break.
- The Base Layer: A t-shirt is fine.
- The "Middle" Layer: A light wool sweater or a hoodie.
- The "SF Uniform": A Patagonia or North Face puffer. You will see 10,000 people wearing this. There is a reason. It’s light, and it handles the 15-degree temperature swings as you cross the street.
- The Shell: A windbreaker or light raincoat. It’s not just for rain; it’s for the damp wind that cuts through denim.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
Don't just look at the numbers; look at the wind. If the wind is coming from the West/Northwest, it’s bringing the ocean with it. That means "chill." If it’s coming from the North/Northeast (offshore), you’re in for a "San Francisco Heatwave," which is basically a beautiful 68-degree day.
Your next steps: Check the wind speed on your weather app, not just the temperature. If it's over 15 mph, that 60-degree high will feel like 50. Also, download a "microclimate" app like Mr. Chilly—it gives you neighborhood-specific data that the big national apps miss. Plan your outdoor activities for the Mission or the Embarcadero to maximize your sun exposure, and save your museum trips for those gray, 15% rain-chance days late in the 10-day cycle.
Keep an eye on the horizon. If you see the "Great White Wall" of fog sitting out past the Farallon Islands, it’s coming for you by 4:00 PM. Move inland or grab a coffee. You’ve been warned.