Official City Notice: Cold Weather Emergency and Weekend Transit Advisories

Official City Notice: Cold Weather Emergency and Weekend Transit Advisories

As San Francisco moves into the weekend of Friday, February 20, 2026, the City and County of San Francisco has issued several critical notices regarding public safety, transportation changes, and public health. Residents and commuters are urged to review these updates to ensure safety and to plan for significant travel delays.

Extreme Cold Warning and Weather Advisory

The National Weather Service and city officials have issued an Extreme Cold Warning and Cold Weather Advisory effective from 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20. Temperatures are projected to drop significantly, with lows expected between 24 and 34 degrees across the Bay Area. The City emphasizes the following safety protocols:

• Warming Centers: Individuals in need of shelter from the cold are encouraged to visit designated city warming centers. Residents should contact 311 for the nearest available location and operating hours.
• Safety at Home: Ensure portable heaters are used correctly and never use generators or grills indoors, as they pose a high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Protection: Bring pets and livestock indoors and cover sensitive vegetation to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.

SFMTA Engineering Public Hearing

The SFMTA Streets Division will conduct an online public hearing today, Friday, February 20, at 10:00 a.m. This session is designed to gather public input on various street engineering and traffic modifications. Members of the public can participate via phone or the online Teams platform. To provide comments during the hearing, participants joining by phone should dial the designated conference line and use the command to enter the public comment queue.

Traffic and Transit Alerts

Major infrastructure projects and events will impact city travel starting today:

• I-80 Ramp Closure: The Eastbound I-80 off-ramp at 4th Street will undergo a late-night closure starting Friday evening, February 20, and remaining closed until Monday morning. This closure is part of the ongoing bridge rehabilitation of the 71-year-old Central and Bayshore viaducts.
• Chase Center Event Service: Los Tigres Del Norte will perform at the Chase Center tonight at 8:00 p.m. To assist attendees, the SFMTA will provide supplemental 78X Arena Express service from the 16th Street BART Station starting two and a half hours before the event.
• Hayes Valley Shared Spaces: The Hayes Valley Shared Spaces program remains active this Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., resulting in temporary street closures to prioritize pedestrian access and local commerce.

Public Health Advisories

The Department of Public Health remains active with several seasonal advisories:

• Wild Mushroom Warning: Residents are strongly urged not to pick or consume wild mushrooms found in local parks or wooded areas, as several toxic species are currently in season and can cause severe illness.
• Heart Health Month: Throughout February, the San Francisco Health Service System is promoting heart-healthy habits, including preventative screenings and stress management techniques as part of its 2026 strategic wellness goals.