San Francisco, California – Strong winds are set to impact much of the Bay Area as the New Year’s weekend begins, with gusts strong enough to cause travel issues and localized damage from Friday afternoon into Saturday midday. Residents and travelers should prepare for rapidly changing conditions, especially in exposed and elevated locations.
According to the National Weather Service for the San Francisco Bay Area, a Wind Advisory is in effect from Friday afternoon through early Saturday afternoon. Southerly winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph in the advisory area. The strongest winds are likely in the North Bay Mountains, East Bay Hills, along the Pacific Coast, and across San Francisco, as well as Monterey and San Benito counties.
These winds may blow around unsecured outdoor objects and make driving difficult for high-profile vehicles, particularly on bridges such as the Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, and San Mateo Bridge. Gusty conditions could also lead to downed tree limbs and isolated power disruptions, especially in hillside neighborhoods and coastal communities.
San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and coastal stretches of Highway 1 could see periods of reduced driving comfort, while areas like Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, and Big Sur face enhanced wind exposure along cliffs and open terrain. Residents are urged to secure loose decorations, trash bins, and patio furniture ahead of Friday afternoon.
Despite the wind, temperatures remain relatively mild and no widespread rain is expected during the advisory period. Conditions begin to improve later Saturday as winds gradually ease.
Those with outdoor plans, including hiking or coastal activities, should use caution and monitor local alerts. Additional advisories could be issued if winds strengthen or persist longer than expected. The strongest impacts are expected during the first half of the New Year’s weekend.
