High Wind Warning Issued For Bay Area: NWS

BAY AREA — A fierce winter storm is moving into the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas with rain and strong winds predicted for all locations. The National Weather Service has upgraded a High Wind Watch to a High Wind Warning. The Warning lasts from 3 p.m. Friday all the way to 10 a.m. Saturday.

The warning stretches from the North Bay to south of Big Sur.

Residents should expect sustained southeast winds of 25 to 35 mph. Gusts are expected to be 50 to 65 mph. "Downed trees, power lines, power outages are likely," the weather service warned on social media. "Gusty winds combined with heavy rain will make driving extremely difficult and hazardous."

Drivers on bridges and in high profile vehicles should be especially careful.

The peak timing of the wind is late Friday night into early Saturday morning.

A Flash Flood Watch is also in effect.

Landslides, rock slides and mudslides are a big concern, especially on Saturday. Some roads near the Santa Cruz Mountains and the East Bay Hills may have to close because of the debris, according to meteorologist Drew Peterson.

Landslides are also possible in the North Bay's wildfire burn scars, though Peterson said slow and steady rains may not have as big an impact there. Meteorologists will be watching the area closely.

Caltrans officials are worried about landslides along state Highway 1 and will close a 44-mile stretch of the road in Big Sur. The road will be closed between Deetjens and Ragged Point starting at 5 p.m. today. Officials anticipate reopening the road on Monday, though that depends on
whether the road is damaged.

Boaters can expect choppy waves and dangerous conditions, and should avoid the water this weekend.

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— Patch editor Bea Karnes and Bay City News contributed to this story; Image via Shutterstock