High Wind Advisory and Heavy Rain Slow Commute; Bay Bridge Restrictions in Place

Morning Commute Overview

Commuters in San Francisco are facing a difficult Thursday morning as a powerful winter storm brings heavy rainfall and significant wind gusts to the Bay Area. Visibility is reduced on major freeways, and standing water has been reported on several low-lying surface streets. Local authorities are urging motorists to reduce speeds and allow for significant extra travel time during the peak morning rush.

Major Roadways and Bridge Alerts

The most critical update for drivers this morning involves the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. As of early Thursday, February 19, a high wind advisory is officially in effect for the bridge. High-profile vehicles, including campers, trailers, and permit loads, are currently prohibited from crossing the span due to safety concerns. Other motorists should maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, as gusts are particularly strong on the western span.

• I-80 and US-101 (The Fab 4 Projects): Ongoing rehabilitation work continues on the Hospital Curve and the Central Freeway viaducts. While major weekend closures are not scheduled until tomorrow night, commuters should expect narrow lanes and shifting patterns near the 4th Street and 7th Street ramps.
• Surface Streets: While the major road closures associated with the recent Super Bowl events have concluded, downtown SoMa remains congested due to residual construction and the wet weather conditions.

Public Transportation Updates

Public transit is currently the recommended mode of travel to avoid weather-related road delays, though some service adjustments are in place.

Muni Service Changes

Riders are reminded that the permanent closure of the Potrero Yard, which began on February 14, continues to affect several routes. The SFMTA has implemented these changes to accommodate the Potrero Yard Modernization Project:

• Lines 5 and 5R: Increased frequency is in effect, but riders may see a mix of 40-foot and 60-foot buses.
• Route 48 Quintara-24th Street: The outbound route has been adjusted to match the inbound route through West Portal to avoid congestion on Vicente Street.
• Route 58 Lake Merced: Service has moved to new boarding islands on Lake Merced Boulevard.

BART and Caltrain

BART is reporting mostly on-time service, but passengers on the Yellow Line should be aware of single-tracking work in Contra Costa County that may cause minor ripple effects throughout the morning. Additionally, train control modernization work continues to cause 30-minute delays during late-night hours between Millbrae and SFO, though morning service remains stable.

Caltrain is operating on its new weekday schedule introduced last month, featuring fully electrified service to Tamien. Passengers are encouraged to check the mobile app for real-time arrivals as the heavy rain may cause minor localized delays at outdoor stations.

Commuter Advice

If you must drive, ensure your headlights are on and maintain a safe following distance. For those using transit, please be cautious on platform surfaces and stairs, which are slick from the ongoing rainfall. Real-time updates remain available via the AlertSF text system and official agency apps.