The National Weather Service has announced a red flag warning for a significant portion of the Bay Area, effective from Thursday night through Saturday evening, citing dry and windy conditions that heighten the risk of rapid wildfire spread.
The service upgraded a previously issued fire weather watch to a red flag warning that will remain in place from 11 p.m. Thursday until 5 p.m. Saturday. This warning comes with forecasts predicting winds of 25-35 mph, with isolated gusts reaching up to 65 mph in elevated areas.
Forecasters have identified areas particularly vulnerable to these windy conditions and low humidity, including the North Bay interior mountains, the East Bay hills and Diablo Range, as well as the San Francisco Peninsula.
In response to these fire weather conditions, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is considering potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs in various parts of the Bay Area.
Ahead of the dry and windy weather, the region may experience light moisture in the form of drizzle early Wednesday morning, but most areas are not anticipated to receive significant rainfall.
Additionally, a beach hazards statement has been issued for San Francisco, the coastal North Bay—including Point Reyes National Seashore—the San Francisco Peninsula coast, as well as the northern and southern Monterey Bay, and the Big Sur coast, lasting until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Large waves may unexpectedly sweep across the affected shores, posing a danger of pulling individuals into the ocean.