The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for a significant portion of the Bay Area, effective from Thursday night until Saturday evening, due to dry and windy conditions that create a heightened risk of rapidly spreading wildfires.
Originally, a fire weather watch was in place for this week, but it has been escalated to a red flag warning, which will be active from 11 p.m. on Thursday to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Winds are expected to reach speeds of 25-35 mph, with isolated gusts of up to 65 mph in higher areas.
Forecasters have highlighted specific regions that are likely to experience particularly strong winds and low humidity, including the North Bay interior mountains, East Bay hills, Diablo Range, and the San Francisco Peninsula.
In light of these hazardous fire conditions, PG&E is considering potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs in certain areas of the Bay Area.
Prior to this dry and windy weather, the Bay Area might experience some light drizzle on Wednesday morning, although significant precipitation is not anticipated.
Additionally, a beach hazards statement is in effect for various regions, including San Francisco, the coastal North Bay around Point Reyes National Seashore, the San Francisco Peninsula coast, as well as northern and southern Monterey Bay and the Big Sur coast, lasting until 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Large waves in these areas may occur unexpectedly, posing a danger of pulling individuals into the ocean.