NorCal & San Francisco SST chart
Satellite data from
The Northern California coast from Point Arena south past Bodega Bay, Point Reyes and the Gulf of the Farallones to San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz and the northern part of Monterey Bay, out past Cordell Bank to well beyond the shelf.
Today’s read
Satellite water temperature,
- Coldest
- 55.6°F
- Median
- 61.5°F
- Warmest
- 66.4°F
- Water with data
- 100%
The median surface temperature is down 0.7°F from 7 days ago.
| Station | Water | Observed |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco (46026) | 60.4°F | |
| San Francisco Bar, CA (46237) | 60.3°F | |
| Point Reyes, CA (46214) | 63.5°F | |
| Monterey (46042) | 65.5°F | |
| Pt Arena (46014) | 57.7°F |
Foundation SST from JPL MUR 0.01° for 2026-10-14 over the open water in this view; 7-day change compares the median with 2026-10-07.
On this chart: San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Bodega Bay, the Farallon Islands, Santa Cruz, Cordell Bank, Point Reyes, Moss Landing and Point Arena.
How to read today’s Northern California chart
Hunt the break, not the colour. A sharp line where warm and cool water collide in half a mile is worth far more than a gradient that fades over ten. The contour lines above trace each temperature exactly, so you can see where a given isotherm runs and where it bends.
Today's chart is scaled 56–66°F, fitted to the water in this box today, so the whole colour ramp covers the temperatures actually here and subtle breaks stay visible. The range changes day to day and box to box — compare colours within one chart, and use the contour lines for exact temperatures.
Pair it with chlorophyll
Temperature shows you the seam. Chlorophyll shows you whether there is anything to eat on it. See today’s Northern California chlorophyll chart →
Frequently asked
How often does the Northern California SST chart update?
The image is regenerated twice a day from the latest MUR 1km satellite analysis in the Catalysst app. The analysis itself is daily, so the date moves forward about once a day — and the date shown is the date of the satellite data, not the date the page was built.
What area does the Northern California SST chart cover?
From 36.7°N to 39.3°N and 125.0°W to 121.0°W. Ports and landmarks on it include San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Bodega Bay, the Farallon Islands, Santa Cruz, Cordell Bank, Point Reyes, Moss Landing and Point Arena.
What are the lines drawn over the colours?
Isotherms — contour lines that trace one exact temperature each. Colour alone makes a break hard to pinpoint; the lines show you precisely where a given temperature runs and how it bends around structure.
Why do some areas of the chart look soft?
Cloud. Infrared satellites cannot see through it, so under cloud the daily analysis leans on coarser microwave data and fine breaks blur. In the app, use the 1-day window to find a live break and the 3- and 7-day windows to confirm it is holding.
This chart, live and zoomable
1-, 3- and 7-day windows, contour lines, and the working fleet on the same map. 7-day free trial.
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