The Bay Area is bracing for a turbulent weather weekend. The National Weather Service San Francisco CA has issued a wind advisory effective from Friday morning through Saturday for portions of the Bay Area and the entirety of the Central Coast.

The advisory, which cautions residents to anticipate south/southeast winds of 20-30 mph and gusts exceeding 45 mph, comes as a potent weather system to introduce wind, rain, and potential thunderstorms to the region. The NWS projects minor flooding and possible tree and power line damage, suggesting that commuters prepare for elongated travel times during this period, as per the NWS Forecast Office.

Beyond the winds, additional concerns include locally heavy rainfall that may lead to urban and street flooding and the chance for isolated thunderstorms that might pack lightning, wind, and small hail. A rare "conditional risk for a landfalling waterspout" was also mentioned by the Area Forecast Discussion.

According to the NWS, "the primary impacts during this period should be wet roadways along the with the potential for a few branches down due to the breezy winds." With the situation unfolding, the San Francisco Bay Area NWS underscored the importance of staying weather aware and remaining vigilant of forecast updates, particularly about the potential thunderstorm hazards which they say could include "occasional lightning, brief heavy rain, gusty to perhaps locally damaging winds, and small hail."

Moving towards the weekend, while the surface low will weaken, the cold-core upper low maintains its dominance, translating to a continuance of showers and isolated thunderstorms on Saturday. For those seeking reprieve, a semblance of solace might arrive late Sunday as a high-pressure system is slated to yield dry conditions and warmer temperatures through mid-week. Travel by sea is also expected to be impacted by the inclement weather, with gale warnings in place for certain coastal waters, according to the NWSBayArea's X update.

Good morning! Active weather returns later today into Saturday with strong wind, rain, and a few thunderstorms. Stay weather-aware and prepare for longer PM commutes. #cawx pic.twitter.com/WOqaEhrAzZ

— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) March 29, 2024