Half Moon Bay Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Half Moon Bay is the main town on the San Mateo coast. Its historic Main Street of shops and restaurants sits back from the bluffs where the Coastside Trail follows the ocean. Highway 92 comes down into town over the Santa Cruz Mountains from the Crystal Springs reservoirs and meets Highway 1 at the edge of downtown. California State Parks runs the beaches just west of town as Half Moon Bay State Beach, while the city owns Poplar, Surfer's, and Manhattan beaches. Unlike the bay-side towns over the hill, it faces the open Pacific.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Half Moon Bay weather today and through the year
It's 56°F at Half Moon Bay right now (feels like 52°F), with 8 mph wind and a comfort score of 78. Monday's forecast high at Half Moon Bay is 56°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. Fog is forecast to linger into the afternoon today at Half Moon Bay. In November, fog here often lingers all day. The best window today is noon to 3 PM, at about 53°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 56).
September is the warmest month at Half Moon Bay, with an average high of 69°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (5.0 in.), out of about 24.8 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Half Moon Bay are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in October, and 1 PM to 4 PM in August.
Half Moon Bay is on the ocean side of the mountains that keep the mid-Peninsula sunny, so in summer it gets what they block. Cold water along the coast chills the air into a marine layer, a low sheet of fog and cloud. Wind blowing in from the sea pushes it across the flat coastal terrace and up against the ridge behind town. Main Street can stay gray all morning, or all day, while Redwood City, about 10 miles east over the hill, is warm and clear.
Forecast updated November 15, 2026 at 4:00 AM PST. Climate figures come from NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Hourly patterns come from NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.
What to expect at Half Moon Bay in the next few days
Active National Weather Service alerts
- High Surf Advisory until Tue 4:00 AM
Fog
Fog is forecast to linger into the afternoon today at Half Moon Bay. In November, fog here often lingers all day.
Best time to go
The best window today is noon to 3 PM, at about 53°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 56).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Half Moon Bay, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 78. Thursday looks weakest (45).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (81%, about 0.54 in.).
Tides (Pillar Point Harbor (Half Moon Bay))
- High 3.9 ft at 4:11 AM today
- Low 3.5 ft at 7:41 AM today
- High 4.7 ft at 1:15 PM today
- Low 0.4 ft at 9:12 PM today
Live weather map
Weather around Half Moon Bay right now
Overcast and 56° at Half Moon Bay right now.
About the live weather map for Half Moon Bay
The map centers on Half Moon Bay and stacks fog, satellite clouds, and precipitation radar on one view. Clouds come from the GOES-West satellite and rain from NOAA radar, and both show current conditions. Fog comes from our HRRR-based fog model, and the slider steps through its forecast for the next 12 hours.
Dots mark nearby places with their current temperature, colored by comfort score. Use the layer buttons to turn any layer off, or open the full map for every destination in the region.
Nearby Temperature Comparison
Conditions at nearby San Francisco Bay Area destinations
Tip: Bay Area temperatures can change by 20 to 30°F over a short distance because of microclimates.
Half Moon Bay vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Half Moon Bay, from the same NOAA HRRR hourly record. The list shows the closest places, then nearby places whose climate differs the most.
| Place | Distance | Summer afternoons | Morning fog | Afternoon wind | Compared with Half Moon Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half Moon Bay State Beach | 1.3 mi | -2°F | 54% | 9 mph | less summer morning fog (54% vs 64% of morning hours) |
| Purisima Creek Redwoods | 5.2 mi | +1°F | 57% | 7 mph | about 36% more rain a year and 1,440 ft higher |
| Moss Beach | 6.4 mi | -5°F | 66% | 9 mph | about 5°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Burlingame | 9 mi | +11°F | 9% | 9 mph | less summer morning fog (9% vs 64% of morning hours) and about 11°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| San Carlos | 9.7 mi | +13°F | 7% | 10 mph | less summer morning fog (7% vs 64% of morning hours) and about 13°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Atherton | 12.7 mi | +14°F | 9% | 10 mph | less summer morning fog (9% vs 64% of morning hours) and about 14°F warmer on summer afternoons |
Places with a climate like Half Moon Bay's
- Pescadero (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Daly City (17 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- West Portal (19 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Half Moon Bay climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Half Moon Bay with the available local baseline. Temperature and year-to-date rainfall use long-term normals when available. Fog, sunshine, wind, and comfort use the matching recent or modeled baseline identified on each card.
Positive and negative differences describe how Half Moon Bay departs from its own usual pattern. They should not be read as a direct comparison with another city or as a forecast beyond the period shown.
Half Moon Bay weather by month
September is the warmest month at Half Moon Bay, with an average high of 69°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (5.0 in.), out of about 24.8 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 72% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. November has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 26% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Half Moon Bay are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in October, and 1 PM to 4 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58°F | 45°F | 4.8 in | 9 | 16% | 37% | 7 mph | 9.9 h | 56 |
| Feb | 59°F | 46°F | 4.8 in | 9 | 15% | 31% | 9 mph | 10.8 h | 58 |
| Mar | 61°F | 47°F | 3.6 in | 8 | 23% | 38% | 9 mph | 11.9 h | 58 |
| Apr | 62°F | 48°F | 1.8 in | 5 | 31% | 40% | 10 mph | 13.2 h | 64 |
| May | 64°F | 51°F | 0.8 in | 4 | 37% | 48% | 10 mph | 14.2 h | 63 |
| Jun | 66°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 54% | 46% | 9 mph | 14.7 h | 71 |
| Jul | 67°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 72% | 55% | 8 mph | 14.5 h | 72 |
| Aug | 68°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 67% | 52% | 8 mph | 13.6 h | 78 |
| Sep | 69°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 53% | 43% | 8 mph | 12.3 h | 85 |
| Oct | 68°F | 52°F | 1.2 in | 5 | 30% | 31% | 8 mph | 11.1 h | 79 |
| Nov | 62°F | 48°F | 2.4 in | 7 | 19% | 26% | 7 mph | 10.1 h | 66 |
| Dec | 58°F | 45°F | 5.0 in | 9 | 19% | 36% | 7 mph | 9.6 h | 36 |
Morning fog is the share of hours from 6 to 10 AM with fog or low cloud. Midday cloud is the average from 11 AM to 3 PM, and afternoon wind is the average from 1 to 5 PM. The highlighted rows are the most comfortable months.
In summer, recent daily NOAA readings at Half Moon Bay average about 5°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normals. The normals average over a wider area that also covers nearby terrain. Read the monthly highs as a rough range, and use the recent months below for what Half Moon Bay has actually seen.
What makes Half Moon Bay's weather different
Among the 163 San Francisco Bay Area towns we track, Half Moon Bay has the 2nd-foggiest summer mornings.
- #2of 163
foggiest summer morningsamong San Francisco Bay Area towns
When the fog burns off
77%of 8 AM hours foggy in July
Fog or low cloud covers Half Moon Bay in 77% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 45% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (15%).
When the wind picks up
11 AMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–October
From March through October, wind at Half Moon Bay typically builds after 11 AM. In April it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 11% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
Microclimate
+13°FSan Carlos, 9.7 mi away, on summer afternoons
San Carlos, 9.7 miles away, runs about 13°F warmer than Half Moon Bay on summer afternoons. It also has far less summer morning fog, 7% of morning hours compared with 64%.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Half Moon Bay range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:31 PM, and in mid-December around 4:58 PM.
Seasons at Half Moon Bay
- Warm seasonJul 3 – Oct 26 · highs 67°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.8 months, from Jul 3 to Oct 26, when the average high is 67°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 69°F.
- Cool seasonNov 30 – Mar 2 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 30 to Mar 2, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 45°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 8 – Apr 7 · 82% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 8 to Apr 7, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 82% of the year's rain.
The dark line marks today. Season dates come from the smoothed daily NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Counting from Oct. 1, a typical year has its first inch of rain by Oct 27 and half of its annual total by Jan 25.
Days per year and extremes (Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026)
This record runs from Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026. Over this record, Half Moon Bay averaged 1 day a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 15 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 4 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 173 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (90°F) and the coldest night was Feb 11, 2025 (36°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.66 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 51 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 1day at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 15days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 4afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 173mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day90°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night36°FFeb 11, 2025
- Wettest day2.66 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust51 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes Half Moon Bay's weather
Highway 92 shows where Half Moon Bay's summer fog ends. Driving east, you often climb out of the fog near the summit and come down into sun by the Crystal Springs reservoirs. Driving back in the afternoon, you can watch the fog bank sitting offshore or pouring over the ridge. Wind blowing in off the ocean makes summer afternoons breezy on the bluffs and the Coastside Trail.
Fall brings the warmest days of the year to the coast. As the summer pressure pattern relaxes in September and October, the marine layer, the low sheet of ocean fog and cloud, thins. By October, mornings in Half Moon Bay are far clearer than in July. Winter storms come straight off the ocean with south winds and big surf, and they drop more rain on the ridge behind town than on the coast itself.
Tips for visiting Half Moon Bay
Pick Dunes or Venice on busy days
Francis and Poplar beaches fill up on weekends and in summer, and the city and State Parks suggest Dunes or Venice beaches then.
Dogs go on city beaches only
Leashed dogs are allowed on Poplar, Surfer's, and Manhattan beaches and on the Coastal Trail, but not on the State beaches.
Never turn your back on the ocean
The city warns of strong currents even on calm days, sudden large waves that can knock people off rocks, and cold water.
Ride SamTrans over the hill
SamTrans buses link Half Moon Bay with Hillsdale in San Mateo, where you can connect to Caltrain.
Check the tide before a beach walk
NOAA's Pillar Point Harbor station, a few miles up the coast, gives local tide predictions for planning a walk on the sand.
Half Moon Bay through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings breezy, often clear days between the last storms and the return of the fog. The Coastside Trail is a good place to see wildflowers.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is peak fog season, with cool, gray mornings on Main Street even during inland heat waves. Beaches are busiest on summer weekends.
- Fall (September–October)
- September is usually the warmest month on the coast. By October the fog has thinned, opening long views from the bluffs.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is storm season, with big surf and strong currents. Stay off the rocks and keep children within arm's reach on the beach.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Walking or biking the Coastside Trail: The bluff-top path is best on clear fall days. Summer afternoons bring fog and a steady onshore breeze. Watch for whales and wildflowers.
- Main Street and Carter Park: Carter Park, just behind Main Street, hosts outdoor events such as summer movie nights and concerts. Bring a jacket, because evenings on the coast are cool even in summer.
- Beach volleyball at Poplar: Three courts are open first come, first served from March through November, weather and tides permitting.
Official sources and current conditions
- City of Half Moon Bay: beaches
- City of Half Moon Bay: beach safety
- NOAA tide predictions: Pillar Point Harbor
- SamTrans: Hillsdale to Half Moon Bay bus
- SamTrans: coast bus to Pacifica
Numbers on this page come from NOAA data. The text draws on the official sources linked above.
Historical Climate Data
Long-term weather patterns and climate data
Data sources: Recent temperatures come from NOAA URMA and recent precipitation from NOAA Stage IV. Fog, cloud, wind, humidity, and sunshine come from NOAA HRRR, and long-term baselines from NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
Climate Overview
Based on NOAA 30-year temperature/rain normals (1991-2020) with recent fog/sun baseline
🌟 Best Months to Visit
⚠️ Challenging Months
Monthly Breakdown
| Month | Comfort | High/Low | ☀️ Sun | 🌫️ Fog | 💧 Rain | Perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2024 | 77 | 59.9° / 46.3° | 6.2h | 6d | 4.22" | 16 |
| December 2024 | 71 | 59.6° / 47.6° | 5h | 6d | 5.91" | 14 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 58.7° / 43.1° | 6.9h | 4d | 0.18" | 21 |
| February 2025 | 71 | 58.2° / 43.9° | 6h | 8d | 7.49" | 12 |
| March 2025 | 73 | 57° / 44.7° | 6.9h | 5d | 2.55" | 12 |
| April 2025 | 75 | 56.7° / 46° | 7.6h | 17d | 0.52" | 11 |
| May 2025 | 79 | 59° / 47.9° | 9h | 15d | 0.19" | 15 |
| June 2025 | 74 | 58.4° / 50.1° | 8.5h | 22d | 0" | 7 |
| July 2025 | 72 | 60.1° / 53.7° | 6.5h | 26d | 0" | 6 |
| August 2025 | 79 | 64.4° / 54.2° | 7.7h | 24d | 0" | 12 |
| September 2025 | 79 | 66.7° / 56.8° | 6.8h | 21d | 0.09" | 14 |
| October 2025 | 81 | 65° / 51.4° | 7h | 11d | 0.89" | 18 |
| November 2025 | 76 | 61.8° / 49.5° | 6h | 9d | 3.7" | 12 |
| December 2025 | 73 | 60.1° / 47.2° | 5.3h | 8d | 4.64" | 17 |
| January 2026 | 79 | 62° / 47.7° | 6.4h | 3d | 5.28" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 76 | 61.6° / 47.6° | 6.4h | 4d | 3.94" | 16 |
| March 2026 | 88 | 67.2° / 47.5° | 9.3h | 7d | 0.02" | 24 |
| April 2026 | 80 | 60.5° / 48.8° | 8.6h | 8d | 3.19" | 19 |
| May 2026 | 77 | 59.4° / 49.5° | 8.4h | 12d | 0.48" | 15 |
| June 2026 | 80 | 61.7° / 52.2° | 8.9h | 17d | 0" | 12 |
| July 2026 | 77 | 62.6° / 54.2° | 7h | 21d | 0" | 12 |
| August 2026 | 75 | 63° / 55° | 6.8h | 28d | 0" | 7 |
| September 2026 | 84 | 65.6° / 54° | 8h | 9d | 0.03" | 20 |
| October 2026 | 86 | 66.8° / 49.9° | 7.7h | 9d | 0.15" | 27 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Half Moon Bay climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Half Moon Bay, showing both the seasonal cycle and the typical day-to-night range. The comfort chart summarizes how often the combined weather pattern is favorable rather than judging temperature alone.
Precipitation shows the total recorded or modeled rainfall for each month at Half Moon Bay. Sunshine compares average bright-sky hours with the daylight available, while fog shows the average number of morning fog or low-cloud hours per day. Switch between the chart tabs to compare the same months across each measure.
Hourly Temperature, Fog, Wind, Cloud Cover, and Solar Radiation Patterns
Average local hour by month from 2014-09-30 to 2026-04-30
- Temperature: At Half Moon Bay, the warmest typical hour is 2 PM in October (67°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (47°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Half Moon Bay in 77% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 45% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (15%).
- Wind: From March through October, wind at Half Moon Bay typically builds after 11 AM. In April it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 11% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Half Moon Bay (26% average cloud cover), and July middays are the cloudiest (55%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Half Moon Bay comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 700 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Half Moon Bay
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Half Moon Bay changes by hour and month. Read left to right for the seasons and top to bottom for the time of day. Warmer colors mark the usual afternoon peaks, and cooler colors show overnight and winter lows.
This heatmap shows when fog or low cloud is most likely at Half Moon Bay. Darker cells mark the months and hours when fog has been most common. They help separate overnight or morning fog from cloud that tends to linger into the afternoon.
This heatmap shows the typical hourly wind pattern at Half Moon Bay through the year. It makes recurring afternoon wind, calmer overnight periods, and seasonal changes easier to compare than a single daily wind value.
This heatmap shows average cloud cover at Half Moon Bay for every month and hour. Use it to see whether cloudiness is mainly an overnight and morning pattern or commonly persists during the part of the day you plan to visit.
This heatmap shows the average solar radiation reaching Half Moon Bay by month and hour. Brighter cells indicate the strongest typical sun, while muted cells can reflect nighttime, shorter winter days, cloud cover, smoke, or terrain shading.
Each cell combines one month with one local hour. Hover over or focus on a cell for its value and sample coverage. The red marker shows the current month and hour.
How recent months compared at Half Moon Bay
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Half Moon Bay averaged a high of 67°F, 1°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normal of 68°F. It brought 0.15 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.19 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 22.2 in. of rain to Half Moon Bay, 89% of the 24.8 in. normal.
Location Details
Half Moon Bay weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Half Moon Bay
What is the weather like at Half Moon Bay today?
It's 56°F at Half Moon Bay right now, with a comfort score of 78 (great). Monday's forecast high at Half Moon Bay is 56°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is noon to 3 PM, at about 53°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 56).
What is the best month to visit Half Moon Bay?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Half Moon Bay are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in October, and 1 PM to 4 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 3.8 months, from Jul 3 to Oct 26, when the average high is 67°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 69°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Half Moon Bay?
September is the warmest month at Half Moon Bay, with an average high of 69°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F.
When does the fog burn off at Half Moon Bay?
Fog or low cloud covers Half Moon Bay in 77% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 45% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (15%).
When is it windiest at Half Moon Bay?
From March through October, wind at Half Moon Bay typically builds after 11 AM. In April it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 11% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
How much rain does Half Moon Bay get?
December is the wettest month (5.0 in.), out of about 24.8 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 8 to Apr 7, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 82% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 22.2 in. of rain to Half Moon Bay, 89% of the 24.8 in. normal.
How does Half Moon Bay weather compare with San Carlos?
San Carlos, 9.7 miles away, runs about 13°F warmer than Half Moon Bay on summer afternoons. It also has far less summer morning fog, 7% of morning hours compared with 64%.
What kind of place is Half Moon Bay?
Half Moon Bay is the main town on the San Mateo coast. Its historic Main Street of shops and restaurants sits back from the bluffs where the Coastside Trail follows the ocean. Highway 92 comes down into town over the Santa Cruz Mountains from the Crystal Springs reservoirs and meets Highway 1 at the edge of downtown. California State Parks runs the beaches just west of town as Half Moon Bay State Beach, while the city owns Poplar, Surfer's, and Manhattan beaches. Unlike the bay-side towns over the hill, it faces the open Pacific.
What is Half Moon Bay weather like in November?
November at Half Moon Bay averages a high of 62°F and a low of 48°F, with 2.4 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 19% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 7 mph.
More about Half Moon Bay weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
- Half Moon Bay Weather: Coastal Fog and Pacific Exposure
- Peninsula Microclimates: Palo Alto vs. Half Moon Bay
- Mavericks Big Wave Season: When Do Half Moon Bay's Waves Peak?
- Bay Area Beach Day Trips: Best Weather Months by Location
- Bay Area Coastal vs. Inland: 30-Degree Temperature Differences
- Driving in Bay Area Fog: Visibility and Safety Tips
Data sources and methods
- Monthly temperatures and precipitation: NOAA 1991-2020 normals.
- Fog, cloud, wind, sun, and comfort by hour and month: NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.
- Daily records and recent months: NOAA URMA and HRRR analyses, plus NOAA Stage IV precipitation.
- Nearby comparisons and regional rankings use the same hourly HRRR summaries for every destination in the region.
- Alerts: National Weather Service. Tides and ocean temperature: NOAA CO-OPS, where shown.
- All statements on this page are computed from these datasets, apart from the “What shapes the weather” guide, which cites its sources inline.
- City of Half Moon Bay, Beaches (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of Half Moon Bay, Beach Safety (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of Half Moon Bay, Parks & Trails (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of Half Moon Bay, John L. Carter Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- SamTrans, Route 294 Hillsdale - Half Moon Bay (accessed 2026-10-27)
- NOAA CO-OPS tide predictions, Pillar Point Harbor (9414131) (accessed 2026-10-27)
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