The Federal Aviation Administration lifted ground stoppages that were briefly issued for both Oakland International Airport and San Jose Mineta International Airport on Wednesday morning, preventing flights from taking off because of heavy fog blanketing much of the Bay Area.
The FAA advisory cited “low ceilings” as the reason for the ground stoppages and said fog was also causing flight delays at San Francisco International Airport. The FAA canceled the advisory shortly before 10:30 a.m.
The National Weather Service issued a Dense Fog Advisory that was expected to remain in effect for much of the region through 1 p.m. Wednesday. The forecast for the greater San Francisco Bay Area called for partly sunny skies, with patchy dense fog and clouds in multiple parts of the region.
Daytime highs were expected to be mostly in the high 60s on the coast, in the mid 50s to mid 60s around the Bay, and high 50s to high 60s inland. Overnight lows will be mostly in the 40s.
While the fog may have parted for now, people shouldn’t expect that to last. Ground fog is a common feature of the Bay-Delta region during December and January, as moisture evaporates from the ground and is cooled by the surrounding air. Often known as “tule fog,” it is prevalent around inland valleys and near bodies of water, especially when combined with clear weather and lack of wind.
NWS forecasters say dry conditions will continue through early Friday.
Meanwhile, the NWS issued a Beach Hazards Statement in effect from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday from Sonoma County to Monterey County as moderate to long period northwesterly swell will result in elevated sneaker wave development with sneaker waves likely to break between 10 and 13 feet.
Rip currents pose a risk to beachgoers. Visitors to the coast are advised to take extra care and never turn their backs to the ocean.
Bay City News staff writer Gabe Agcaoili contributed to this story.
