Bay Area residents must brace for impact as strong winds whip through the region today. The National Weather Service San Francisco has issued a Wind Advisory, cautioning that gusts in higher terrain could reach a powerful 60 mph until Friday morning.

The Bay Area hills are particularly vulnerable to the gusts, where the NWS has warned of speeds intensifying throughout the day. "Winds Advocacies remain in effect for much of the higher terrain of the Bay Area and within the North and East Bay Valleys through tonight and Friday morning," the NWS states. Communities are advised to secure outdoor items prone to being tossed about by the bluster and to watch for hazards such as falling branches, especially given the recent saturation of soil and weakened trees from past storms.

Alongside the advisory, the NWS Bay Area's X post post also urges caution, stating, "Look out for strong winds today, especially in the mountains and hills where gusts could exceed 45 mph. Watch out for falling branches and secure loose items that may blow about. Stay safe! #cawx."

Look out for strong winds today, especially in the mountains and hills where gusts could exceed 45 mph. Watch out for falling branches and secure loose items that may blow about. Stay safe! #cawx pic.twitter.com/GVivBwak4a

— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) March 14, 2024

The advisories come as an offshore wind event persists, bolstered by an omega blocking pattern that has established a gradient between high pressure to the North and East and a low pressure trough over coastal California. The upshot of this powerful force of nature is not all peril, as San Franciscans can expect a warming trend with the sun dominating clear skies. Inland areas may enjoy highs tapping into the 70s, while coastal regions are anticipated to experience upper 60s.

Mariners are also caught in the tangle of the wind event. Gale warnings and Small Craft Advisories have been posted for various waterways, prompting seafarers to exercise extreme caution. With winds expected to die down into the weekend, the Bay Area looks forward to regaining some calm after an undeniably blustery period.