Early today at 5:35 a.m. PST, Mineta San José International was calm and clear, with temperatures hovering near 48°F. That quiet start will not last long. A Pacific low is set to slide ashore this afternoon, bringing rain after about 1 p.m. and more persistent showers into the evening and overnight. Southerly winds will crank up later in the day, with the strongest gusts expected along the Central Coast and on exposed ridgelines.
Rain, Thunder And Strong Winds Tonight
Rain is likely after 1 p.m. today, with afternoon highs near 63°F before readings drop into the upper 50s. Showers are expected to become steadier by evening, and there is a window for thunderstorms between roughly 7 p.m. today and 1 a.m. tomorrow. Any storms could bring brief heavy downpours, lightning and pockets of small hail.
Forecast guidance calls for new rainfall totals generally between one tenth and one quarter of an inch for many spots, with some favored areas picking up one quarter to one half inch overnight. Forecasters also note strong southerly gusts, with speeds up to 40 to 50 mph along the Big Sur coast and higher terrain. According to the National Weather Service San Francisco, a Wind Advisory is in effect for parts of Monterey and San Benito counties from 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 through 4 a.m. tomorrow.
What This Means For Your Commute
Drivers should expect slick roads this afternoon and evening commutes. Brief heavy downpours can sharply cut visibility and leave standing water on streets and highways. Plan on extra travel time, ease off the gas on wet pavement, and avoid driving through any flooded sections. High-profile vehicles in particular should be prepared for gusty crosswinds. Transit riders and other road users should build in a buffer for delays and check for service updates from local agencies before heading out.
Coastal And Mountain Focus
The Central Coast and windward mountain slopes are expected to take the main hit from this system. Models and forecasters favor 2 to 4 inches of rain for parts of the Santa Cruz and Santa Lucia ranges through Thursday morning, Feb. 12, 2026, while valley floors such as Livermore, San Jose and the Salinas Valley may see closer to around one half inch…